Maple Leafs Using Unique Contract Structure to Attempt to Sneak Matt Murray Through Waivers

On Sunday afternoon the Maple Leafs placed Matt Murray and Marshall Rifai on waivers in an attempt to trim down their roster following training camp.

The Leafs surprised many when they re-signed the veteran netminder to a one-year deal worth $875K on July 1st after he missed the entire 2023-24 season following bi-lateral hip surgery.

According to TSN and The Athletic's Chris Johnston, the Leafs are using a unique contract structure in an attempt to prevent Murray from being claimed on waivers. The structure is similar to the one they used last year with Martin Jones that allowed him to pass through waivers unclaimed.

In Murray's case, he is due a $100K bonus the day after the season begins on Thursday. That would mean that any team looking to claim the two-time Stanley Cup Champion will be on the hook for the bonus. The combination of his bonus and the fact that he is still recovering from hip surgery makes it highly unlikely that a team would claim him, but it was a smart move by the Leafs to flex their financial muscle in any case.

Murray assured Leafs fans back in August that he feels better than he ever has as a pro thanks to the surgery and expects to steal some starts from Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.

Should Murray go unclaimed, the Leafs have the most depth at the goaltending position they've had in years with Dennis Hildeby not far behind Murray on the depth chart. With a handful of cheaper goaltenders placed on waivers yesterday, including Marcus Hogberg, Pheonix Copley and Devin Cooley, it seems unlikely that Murray will be claimed.