Matt Murray will be out 6-8 months for the Toronto Maple Leafs after having bilateral hip surgery.
The 29-year-old goalie, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $25 million contract ($6.25 million average annual value) he signed with the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 9, 2020, can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
"We've been aware of his situation for some time now, so it doesn't change anything from my perspective," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Monday. "Happy that the procedure went well, and he seems to be in good spirits. He knows he has a long road ahead, but it will be good to see him around, and when you talk to him, he's wanting to put the work in and knows this was a necessary thing for him and his career. I also know Matt is a hard worker and disciplined guy, and he will do all he can to be ready."
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said in September that the surgical procedure was triggered when he "aggravated some stuff over the summer." Murray, who was placed on long-term injured reserve in July, last played April 2, when he sustained a head injury during a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
"We understood that it was pretty significant, and as Treliving talked at the beginning of camp reaffirming that, and now with the official news on what exactly has happened, it just follows up everything we've understood all along," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said. "We're happy he's on his road to recovery and going to get better. He's still part of our team, and having him around is great and he's someone who has a tremendous amount of experience, talent and ability and fits in really well with our team. It'll be good to see him throughout the course of the year continue to progress and get better, so we're happy for him."
Murray was 14-8-2 with a 3.01 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and one shutout in 26 games last season, his first with the Maple Leafs after he was acquired in a trade with the Senators on July 11, 2022. He missed significant time because of adductor, ankle and head injuries.
Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round (No. 83) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Murray is 146-86-24 with a 2.79 GAA, .910 save percentage and 15 shutouts in 272 regular-season games (264 starts) for the Maple Leafs, Senators and Penguins. He is also 29-21 with a 2.18 GAA, .921 save percentage and six shutouts in 51 Stanley Cup Playoff games (50 starts), helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.
NHL.com independent correspondent Dave McCarthy contributed to this report
