After Matt Murray went down with groin discomfort during the morning skate on Saturday morning, it was unclear how severe it was and how the Leafs would be able to fill the void in the immediate and long-term future.
With roughly two hours to go until their game against the Senators, the solution became clear: Erik Kallgren is back.
Erik Källgren has been recalled by the #leafs. Appears he’ll back up Ilya Samsonov tonight.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 15, 2022
While bringing up Kallgren will provide some temporary relief, this will undoubtedly raise the urgency to find Wayne Simmonds a new home so that the Leafs are able to clear up a roster spot that could be used to sign another goalie should the injury woes continue. Denis Hildeby is the only other healthy goalie that is signed to an NHL contract and he is currently in Sweden playing with Farjestads BK (Joseph Woll is currently on IR).
Because Murray will likely be unavailable for a while, Samsonov will almost certainly assume the starting role and gain the bulk of the starts. He had a solid preseason and is coming off his first win as a Leaf which came at the expense of his former team on Thursday night.
Murray’s lone regular season game with the Leafs came on opening night against the Canadiens where he stopped 19 of 23 shots, registering a .826SV% and a 4.05 GAA. In the preseason, he went 3-0-0, denied 64 of 66 shots against, and recorded a .970 SV%.
Prior to leaving the game against the Americans, Kallgren turned aside 16 of 18 shots and posted a .889 SV% plus a 4.35 GAA.
Update: The Leafs have made it official. Murray was placed on LTIR and will miss at least four weeks with an adductor injury.
The @MapleLeafs have placed G Matt Murray on long-term injured reserve. He is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks (adductor injury).
G Erik Källgren has been recalled from the @TorontoMarlies on an emergency basis.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 15, 2022
