The Toronto Maple Leafs have called up goaltender Matt Murray, and have assigned goaltender Dennis Hildeby to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, the team confirmed Friday. Murray will make his first start since April 2, 2023.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman previously reported that Murray was ready for a call-up to the Maple Leafs. It’s possible that Murray will start for the Maple Leafs against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Joseph Woll is operating as Toronto’s No. 1 goaltender.

Hildeby has played in three games for the Maple Leafs, compiling a 2-1-0 record with a .875 save percentage. He was recalled on an emergency basis after Anthony Stolarz suffered a lower-body injury on December 12, which will keep him out through January.

Murray recorded a shutout against the Wilkes-Barre Penguins on Wednesday, indicating that he was ready to return to the NHL.

“That’s encouraging,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Wednesday of Murray’s performance with the Marlies, following Toronto’s 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars. “That’s great for him and the Marlies. And this guy’s got a lot of experience, and he’s won. So, we’re gonna look at everything and make some decisions.”

Murray did not play in the NHL during the 2023-24 campaign, after undergoing bilateral hip surgery. He played in three games for the Marlies on a conditioning loan, posting a 1-2-0 record with a .846 save percentage. Murray signed a one-year extension with the Maple Leafs worth $875,000 on July 2 and went unclaimed on waivers.

“This year is just about proving that I can stay healthy and that I got a nice little reset with the surgery. So proving that I stay healthy and still get the job done, that’s why I took a one-year deal. It’s kind of like a prove-it deal to see what I can do,” Murray said in August. “And if I can do both of those things, stay healthy and prove that I can still get the job done, I would imagine maybe a couple opportunities pop up next year. I’m taking things one year at a time.”

Murray will be afforded a great opportunity to work his way back into the Maple Leafs’ rotation, as Stolarz is expected to return during the final week of January. Woll is Toronto’s No. 1 starter, which will allow Murray to work his way back at a comfortable pace, as the Maple Leafs rely on outstanding goaltending and defensive structure to offset their lack of offensive production this season.