Leafs announce pair of roster transactions, one involving rookie sensation Fraser Minten

The Leafs announced on Friday that they've opted to send Minten back to his junior team, the Kamloops Blazers, in the WHL. In a corresponding move, they have also announced that they have recalled defenseman William Lagesson.

The move is a bit of a controversial one, as the Leafs had the ability to send Pontus Holmberg down to the Marlies without him having to clear waivers, as he is waivers exempt. This, of course, would have meant that Minten would draw back in against Nashville. Had that occurred, the team still could have recalled Lagesson.

The team's 3-game winning streak with Holmberg in the lineup might have a lot to do with why Minten was sent back to his junior team. It wasn't doing him any good to be sitting in the press box every night during a key developmental year. Going back to Kamloops will allow Minten to immediately play big minutes in all situations and further aid him in his development moving forward. There will be plenty of time for him to apply the lessons he's learned in his short NHL look and come back to camp next fall even more motivated after getting a brief taste of the NHL life.

Minten didn't register any points during his 4-game trial with the Leafs, but he did fire 3 pucks at the net, deliver 3 hits, put up one block and finish with an even +/- rating, averaging almost 11 and a half minutes per night.

On Lagesson, the 6'2, 211-pound defenseman has suited up in 5 games for the Toronto Marlies thus far, posting 1 lone assist. The 27-year-old has amassed 60 games of NHL experience, most of which game with the Edmonton Oilers back in 2020-21 and 2021-22.