Leafs announce two roster moves, which could make for a very exciting day in Toronto
After playing 3 games in 4 nights, including a back-to-back against the Islanders and Rangers on the road, the Leafs were gifted a day off yesterday, which was probably a great idea considering the fact that an illness has ravaged the locker room.
Not only did Ilya Samsonov and William Lagesson miss time due to illness, but Matthew Knies and Ryan Reaves were late scratches for the Leafs against the Rangers, forcing the team to go 11F/7D, dressing Max Lajoie as the 7th defenseman.
With the Leafs back home in Toronto to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, it would appear as though whatever is ailing the Leafs has subsided, because early Thursday morning, per CapFriendly, the Leafs sent Bobby McMann and Max Lajoie down to the Toronto Marlies.
There's a chance that these are simply paper transactions, and that we'll see both players take part in the optional skate this morning, but there's also a chance that perhaps Brad Treliving is finally nearing the point of swinging a trade just before the holiday trade freeze.
We know that the Leafs need a defenseman, preferably one that shoots right, even with the team having collected points in 12 of their last 13 games en route to a 9-1-3 run.
Lajoie and McMann are very much bottom of the lineup guys, both replacement level players, so it's not overly surprising to see them headed down. However, with the demotions occurring just days before the trade freeze kicks in on December 20th, it's either a strange coincidence, Treliving has something cooking, or perhaps Timothy Liljegren is finally ready to make his triumphant return.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 14 | 824 ANSWERS Leafs announce two roster moves, which could make for a very exciting day in Toronto Do you think the Leafs will complete a trade before the holiday trade freeze? | ||
| Yes | 303 | 36.8 % |
| No | 521 | 63.2 % |
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