Sheldon Keefe announces one Leafs roster move ahead of tonight's tilt in Pittsburgh
Don't look now, but the Leafs have won back-to-back games and are now 8-1-3 in the month of November, thanks to a clutch late-game save by Matt Murray in the dying seconds of the 3rd period in Minnesota on Friday to secure the 4-3 regulation win.
Now, the Leafs are staring down the barrel of a Saturday night matchup against a Pittsburgh Penguins team who have been on a tear over the last 2 weeks, winning 5 straight games. Both teams come into Saturday on the second half of a back-to-back with travel, as the Pens were in Philadelphia on Friday. The Leafs won their last meeting against the Pens on November 15th in Pittsburgh, but that was then and this is a new day and a new game.
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe had only one roster change to announce following Saturday's morning skate, wtih veteran winger Wayne Simmonds coming out of the lineup in favour of the speedy, skilled Denis Malgin. Malgin had spent the previous two games against Minneosta and New Jersey as a healthy scratch.
It's been a tough season for Simmonds, who has made it into just 5 games for the Leafs all season long. At 34 years old, Simmonds is not getting any younger and, according to multiple reports throughout the early stages of this season, the Leafs have him on the block and are indeed looking to move him to a contending team. It's important for the Leafs to do right by the player and you do have to commend them for not pulling the trigger on just any deal and waiting for the right one for Simmer - though it should be mentioned that Simmonds does have partial trade protection in the form of a 10-team no-trade list.
The Scarborough, ON native joins 21-year-old Nick Robertson in the press box. Unfortunately, like Simmonds, Robertson has had a tough time staying in the Leafs' lineup. At least the kid from Pasadena has the luxury of time on his side and significant upside, which should lead to his presence in the lineup increasing in frequency.
Simmonds has cleared waivers twice already this season.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 26 | 233 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe announces one Leafs roster move ahead of tonight's tilt in Pittsburgh Should the Leafs attach a prospect to Wayne Simmonds as an incentive for another team to take him on? | ||
| Yes | 47 | 20.2 % |
| No - they're right to be patient | 186 | 79.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
