Paper transactions make multiple Leafs, including two goalies, eligible for AHL playoffs
In order to be eligible for the AHL's Calder Cup playoffs, a player must be on an AHL roster at 3:00pm on the day of the NHL trade deadline. Six Leafs were assigned to the Marlies yesterday and five were recalled immediately.
Kyle Clifford, Timothy Liljegren, Teemu Kivihalme, Joseph Duzak, Erik Kallgren and Petr Mrazek were all on the Marlies roster at 3:00pm yesterday and will now be eligible for the Calder Cup playoffs. While Clifford remains with the Marlies, the other five were recalled by the Leafs and are currently on the roster.
This is not an uncommon move and it's done every season. In 2018 when the Toronto Marlies won the Calder Cup, Travis Dermott and Kasperi Kapanen were both sent to the Marlies in order to be eligible for the playoffs. Kapanen, who had significant NHL experience at the time, didn't go to the Marlies after the Leafs lost to the Boston Bruins in round 7. Dermott joined the Marlies for their playoff run and played a key role in their Calder Cup victory.
If the Marlies are still in the playoffs when the Leafs' season finishes, not only would team regulars like Duszak, Kallgren, Clifford, and Kivihalme be eligible, but players who've spent the majority of the season in the NHL like Petr Mrazek and Timothy Liljegren could come down and be x-factors in a Marlies playoff run.
It's interesting to see Mrazek's name on here as despite clearing waivers, his 1 AHL game this season was a part of a conditioning stint in December. Perhaps if his struggles continue and Kallgren continues to shine, Mrazek could find himself suiting up for the AHL team that plays just up the road, rather than with the big cub.
