The Seattle Kraken bolstered their roster with championship experience on July 1, signing goaltender Matt Murray to a one-year contract worth $1 million.
Appearing on Friday`s JD Bunkis Podcast, the former Maple Leafs netminder shared his thoughts on his tenure in Toronto, the reasons behind the perceived shortage of developing goaltending talent, and his decision to join the Kraken.
Murray stated, “Many factors drew me to Seattle, but the people were definitely the main one. I previously worked with Jason Botterill in Pittsburgh, where we won two Cups while he was an assistant. I also know Lane Lambert from my time with the Leafs last year, as well as their new goalie coach, Colin Zulianello.”
Relating on familiar faces to ease the transition to a new team is a strategy the 31-year-old has relied on throughout his career. In fact, it was a reason he wanted to wear the Maple Leaf jersey, an experience he deeply cherishes.
The Thunder Bay native expressed deep affection for the Toronto Maple Leafs, calling it “a special place in my heart.” He explained, “It`s my dad`s favorite team, and my first ever NHL game was watching them. Wearing that jersey felt like the honor of a lifetime; it holds a uniquely special place due to my family history. I cherished every moment and truly loved it.”
Pondering the future of goaltending, Murray offered a simple explanation for the apparent decline in developing high-quality netminders today.
He remarked, “I don`t think being a goalie is as `cool` as it used to be. Goalies possessed a certain `cool factor` back then, which might have encouraged more kids to pursue the position.”
The ex-Penguins netminder also suggested the significant pressure and frequent blame faced by goalies could deter young players from choosing the position. Ultimately, he feels being a goalie simply appears less enjoyable than it once did.
Murray commented, “Goalies seem a bit `cookie-cutter` to me nowadays; the game has become highly technical. I believe goalies have lost some of their athleticism, which is why many emerging players look alike now. Watching goalies today, it just doesn`t seem as fun as it used to be.”
However, one current goaltender Murray holds in high regard is his former Maple Leafs teammate, Joseph Woll.
Murray shared his admiration: “I love Joe; I really valued the time we spent together. One reason Joe is so mentally strong, I think, is his broad perspective on life. The wider your view of the world, the better you can handle high-pressure situations. I`ll miss being his teammate, but in my opinion, Toronto has a true `keeper` in him.”
Murray played for Toronto for the past three seasons, appearing in two games last year with a 3.54 goals-against average and an .879 save percentage. He now joins a Kraken goaltending tandem that includes Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord.
Duncan Priestley