Maple Leafs Clear a Roster Spot With Late Night Transaction, Ramping Up Trade Speculation

Signed to a 1-year deal on July 2nd this past off-season, Dakota Mermis missed almost the entire first half of the season due to a broken jaw that he suffered during training camp.

Upon being deemed cleared to play, Mermis had to go through waivers where hewas claimed by the Utah Hockey Club.

He got into one game with Utah HC before being reclaimed by the Leafs.

The 31-year-old was recalled on February 3rd by the Leafs due to the injury scare with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but was never able to get into game action. After the 2-1 loss to Vancouver on Saturday, the Leafs returned Mermis to the Marlies.

Sending Mermis back to the AHL frees up a roster spot, which, along with the Marlies holding of a pair of top prospects in Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin out of the lineup in back-to-back games, has fuelled speculation that Treliving has a trade in the works.

With the Leafs not in action until February 22nd, now would be the perfect time for a new player (or two) to get accustomed to a new team and new systems, especially with the type of player the Leafs are targeting.

The 4 Nations break will give those not playing a chance to rest and recover, but it could also lead to general managers using the time to get their pre-deadline shopping done in the hopes of beating deadline day prices.