Leafs announce a pair of roster transactions following horrendous 5-game road trip
The Leafs (4-4-2) are now back in Toronto and prepping themselves for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers (5-2-1) after a deflating and disappointing road trip that saw the team go 1-2-2 against 4 of 5 teams who didn't make the playoffs last season and the LA Kings, the only team in this stretch of games who did.
I think most are of the mindset that some changes are coming in Toronto, it's just a matter of when. Well, on Tuesday afternoon, the Buds announced a pair of roster transactions that will result in a rookie standout in training camp potentially getting his first crack at NHL action. It will also result in a fan-favourite being sent back down to the Marlies.
Per the Leafs' official PR Twitter account, the Buds have recalled forward Pontus Holmberg and have loaned feisty winger and 1000+ game veteran Wayne Simmonds to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
The move is likely to try to spark some offense from the bottom half of the lineup. Holmberg spent last season in Sweden, playing for Vaxjo HC, notching 11 goals and 41 points in 46 games. following his year in the Swedish Hockey League, Holmberg came over to North America to join the Marlies, amassing 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points in 6 games. He has just 2 assists through 7 games this season.
Simmonds found himself on waivers on October 10th, following an unsuccessful training camp for the veteran winger. He passed right through, and the Leafs looked to facilitate a trade to send Simmonds to a contending team. Unfortunately, nothing materialized, but it was a blessing in disguise, as Simmonds was recalled by the Leafs a short time later and helped lead them to victory against the Winnipeg Jets on October 22nd, setting up what would be the game-winning goal.
This can't be the only move that the Leafs are planning to try to right the ship. We know that Timothy Liljegren is on his way back. We know that Matt Murray will likely return at some point next week. But these moves are not momentum-changing moves. I'd imagine we'll have some more clarity on what's going on with this team and how they plan to fix some of their issues in the coming days.
| POLL | ||
1 NOVEMBRE | 490 ANSWERS Leafs announce a pair of roster transactions following horrendous 5-game road trip Will William Nylander set a new career-high in points this season? | ||
| Yes | 270 | 55.1 % |
| No | 220 | 44.9 % |
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