The Leafs have moved Frazer McLaren to the long-term injury reserve with a broken finger, availing $700,000 in cap space, and recalled Troy Bodie after passing him through waivers yesterday. Bodie can be sent down again without passing through waivers provided he doesn’t stick longer than 10 games or 30 days.
The #leafs have recalled Troy Bodie, sent John-Michael Liles to the AHL and placed Frazer McLaren on LTIR. Let the season begin.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 30, 2013
The Leafs have opted for Bodie and his 100+ games in NHL experience to replace McLaren on the 4th line. Bodie’s skating stride may be offensive to the eyes, but he’s a big man who can deceptively cover ground once he reaches his top gear. He put in a solid effort in camp, went hard to the net and found some opportunities, and he flashed some modest puck skills in the preseason finale vs. Detroit. He looked like a man possessed in that game, and while he was largely competing against AHL defencemen, he looked hungry and he’s got the size and pugilistic qualities Carlyle expects of at least two members of his 4th line. Expect him to play with McClement and Orr on line 4 tomorrow.
How Randy Carlyle manages Rielly in the group of 7 will be interesting. Does he play tomorrow over one of the other six regulars? Will Carlyle wait for a Fraser, Ranger or (based on some of Carlyle’s recent interviews) Gardiner to struggle before giving Rielly his first regular season game? The Leafs have 9 games to sort out where he stands.
What follows is the Leafs‘ 22-man roster for opening night vs. the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow:
FORWARDS
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.25m) / Tyler Bozak ($4.2m) / Phil Kessel ($5.4m)
Joffrey Lupul ($5.25m) / Nazem Kadri ($2.9m) / Carter Ashton ($1.04m)
Mason Raymond ($1.0m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.8m)
Troy Bodie ($0.6m) / Jay McClement ($1.5m) / Colton Orr ($0.925m)
David Clarkson ($5.25m) [suspended]
DEFENSEMEN
Dion Phaneuf ($6.5m) / Carl Gunnarsson ($3.15m)
Cody Franson ($2.0m) / Jake Gardiner ($1.117m)
Mark Fraser ($1.275m) / Paul Ranger ($1.0m)
Morgan Rielly ($1.744m)
GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.8m)
Jonathan Bernier ($2.9m)
OTHER
Buyout: Darcy Tucker ($1.0m)
Buyout: Colby Armstrong ($1.0m)
Buried: John-Michael Liles ($2.950m)
——
CAP SPACE: $165,833
