Leafs appear to be making a few roster changes ahead of Friday afternoon's game against Minnesota
The Leafs were back on the ice for practice on Thursday, AKA American Thanksgiving, following a controversial 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, who saw their 13-game win streak snapped thanks to a trio of disallowed goals in the contest.
One interesting development from practice has Nick Robertson, who just drew back into the lineup against New Jersey on Wednesday, back in extras grey, along with Denis Malgin. Wayne Simmonds, who just cleared waivers on Wednesday afternoon, was skating in a regular jersey, indicating that he's likely to suit up for his first game since November 5th on Friday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild.
I'm sure that at least a part of what went into this decision is how nasty the Wild can be with the likes of Marcus Foligno, Ryan Hartman, Jordan Greenway and, now, Ryan Reaves in the lineup, after Reaves was acquired by the Wild from the Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. The Leafs will need someone like Simmonds in there to make sure nobody is taking liberties on the Leafs' star players.
Simmonds skated on a line with Alexander Kerfoot and Pontus Holmberg at practice on Thursday, so that's likely where he'll start Friday afternoon's game. Whether or not he moves up or down in the lineup will depend heavily on how the game is going.
Surprisingly, Calle Jarnkrok appears to be in line for some top-6 minutes, as he skated alongside John Tavares and the red-hot Mitch Marner, who is currently on a 14-game point streak. Jarnkrok to just 6 points in 21 games so far this season, so perhaps this is just a way to get him going.
In addition, new addition Conor Timmins skated with the Buds for the first time on Thursday, albeit as an extra defenseman. It would appear as though Victor Mete will draw in for the injured Jordie Benn, alongside youngster Mac Hollowell.
There is still some time for the coaching staff to make some changes ahead of Friday's 2pm puck drop, so nothing is set in stone, but it wouldn't be surprising to see something like this come game time:
Bunting/Matthews/Nylander
Jarnkrok/Tavares/Marner
Kerfoot/Holmberg/Simmonds
Aston-Reese/Kampf/Engvall
Giordano/Holl
Sandin/Liljegren
Mete/Hollowell
Murray
Kallgren
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 24 | 258 ANSWERS Leafs appear to be making a few roster changes ahead of Friday afternoon's game against Minnesota Should the Leafs start Conor Timmins right away, or ease him into the lineup? | ||
| Get him in there right away | 109 | 42.2 % |
| Ease him in to set him up for success | 127 | 49.2 % |
| Don't care, just win! | 22 | 8.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
