Maple Leafs Make Stunning Roster Announcement Regarding Fraser Minten

After being a healthy scratch on Sunday, Fraser Minten has found himself on the outside looking in as the Leafs continue to get healthier up front.

The 20-year-old was reluctantly recalled from the Marlies by the Leafs in mid-November following a rash of injuries to the forward group, but has played surprisingly well as the Leafs' third-line center.

Unfortunately for the Vancouver native, the Leafs have an abundance of forwards now that Auston Matthews, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty and Bobby McMann are healthy and finding a spot for him in the lineup was going to be difficult. With that, the Leafs announced ahead of practice on Tuesday that Minten was re-assigned to the Marlies.

At the time the Leafs recalled Minten, Brad Treliving was reluctant to do so and would have preferred to keep him in the AHL much longer. With a healthy contingent of forwards available to Craig Berube, Treliving got his wish and Minten will be able to play more minutes in the Marlies' top-six.

In 11 games with the Leafs this season, Minten tallied 2 goals and 4 points while averaging just under 13 minutes per game.

The 2022 second-round pick has been impressive at times during his stint with the Maple Leafs and could very well be the solution to the lack of depth at center for the club down the road. But, for now, unless injuries occur again, Minten will continue to hone his craft in the AHL.