Sheldon Keefe reveals why Zach Aston-Reese may be coming out of the lineup
When the Leafs called up Joey Anderson from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, it seemed like a pure depth move to ensure that the team had an extra body available at practice. However, when practice began and 4th line winger Zach Aston-Reese was spotted in a grey "extras" jersey, it became apparent that the move was more than just a superficial one.
Anderson skated in a regular white jersey at practice on Tuesday on a line with Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg. Now, with two linemates who may suit his game very well, Anderson finds himself with another opportunity to make an impact. If you ask Sheldon Keefe, Anderson had already left his mark on the group during a brief call-up earlier this season. Now, it will be his chance to expand on that and potentially make it stick.
"We just think Joey did a good job when he was there. The roster, the lineup, and all of those kinds of things are fluid and they change. We thought he did a good job here.
I can't remember what the specific circumstances were when we sent him back or what the situation was, but we just like him as a player. It gives us a right shot down in the bottom six. I like that part of it.
For Reeser, his game has been a little inconsistent for me. It keeps those guys on their toes as well. Whether it is McMann coming in � which has pushed a guy like Dryden Hunt and Aston-Reese � or now Holmberg coming back, those guys are in competition for their spots.
Whether it is Kampf, Engvall, or Kerfoot � just the same. You have some guys coming in here that are pushing and showing they can help us. I think it keeps that group honest as well."
-Keefe on inserting Joey Anderson back into the lineup, skating Zach Aston-Reese as an extra
I can't remember what the specific circumstances were when we sent him back or what the situation was, but we just like him as a player. It gives us a right shot down in the bottom six. I like that part of it.
For Reeser, his game has been a little inconsistent for me. It keeps those guys on their toes as well. Whether it is McMann coming in � which has pushed a guy like Dryden Hunt and Aston-Reese � or now Holmberg coming back, those guys are in competition for their spots.
Whether it is Kampf, Engvall, or Kerfoot � just the same. You have some guys coming in here that are pushing and showing they can help us. I think it keeps that group honest as well."
-Keefe on inserting Joey Anderson back into the lineup, skating Zach Aston-Reese as an extra
Anderson has enjoyed a stellar season with the Marlies this year, posting 14 goals and 27 points in 30 games. He has shown this season that he is too good to be stuck in the AHL - now it's up to him to show that he belongs in the regular NHL rotation.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 25 | 138 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe reveals why Zach Aston-Reese may be coming out of the lineup Will Joey Anderson remain in the Leafs' lineup for the rest of the year? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 16.7 % |
| No | 115 | 83.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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