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Sheldon Keefe explains rationale for demoting 24-year-old winger

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Dylan McDougall
January 2, 2023 (5:16 PM)

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Earlier today, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they had loaned forward Joey Anderson back to the Toronto Marlies. The move was not much of a surprise, since Rasmus Sandin was due back and with the strong play of Pontus Holmberg and Zach Aston-Reese and the energetic start to Dryden Hunt's run as a Lead, Anderson was the odd man out.

Head Coach Sheldon Keefe spoke with the media on Monday and has explained his rationale behind the roster move. As per Leafs reporter David Alter, Keefe sent Anderson down with some specific instructions on what to work on while during his next stint with the Marlies to help improve some of the aspects of his game.

"There's another side to the game that he shows at the AHL level in terms of offence and being able to finish chances and create chances for he and his linemates and hasn't been able to do that consistently at the NHL level"

-Keefe on what he hopes to see the next time Anderson is back up with the big club

Hopefully with some more games in the AHL, Joey can find the missing elements in his game and be back with the Leafs for another run in the second half before they get to the playoffs, as they still have high hopes for the forward after acquiring him in 2020 in exchange for former Leaf Andreas Johnsson.

The Maple Leafs kick off their 2023 schedule tomorrow night with a game against the St. Louis Blues back home at Scotiabank Arena.

https://www.si.com/nhl/maple-leafs/news/why-the-maple-leafs-returned-joey-anderson-to-the-marlies

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Insider reveals Leafs' deadline plan; deems one prospect ''untouchable'' at the deadline, reveals what the Buds will do with their 2023 1st

Sandin's return from injury forces unfair healthy scratch on defense

Auston Matthews finishes the 2022 calendar year at the top of this list

POLL
JANVIER 2 \| 797 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe explains rationale for demoting 24-year-old winger Will we see Joey Anderson back with the Maple Leaf's this season?
Yes	288	36.1 %
No	237	29.7 %
Maybe	147	18.4 %
Trade Bait	125	15.7 %
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