The tidbits of roster news from the last few days:
Leafs have placed both Tyler Bozak and Jake Gardiner on injured reserve.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) October 23, 2015
. @SportChek Player Alert: The #Leafs have recalled Byron Froese from the @TorontoMarlies. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/1it3I4tGNg
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 23, 2015
Defenceman Frank Corrado sent down to Marlies. Practising with team today
— Kyle Cicerella (@KyleTheReporter) October 22, 2015
Bozak may play Saturday. Gardiner will not. Corrado was sent to AHL for conditioning stint.
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) October 22, 2015
The Leafs are replacing some center depth here with Tyler Bozak out. Froese, who has three goals in four game this season and 45 points in 49 AHL games since the Marlies signed him last year, would need to play ten or more games to become waiver eligible.
Froese has a bit of a journeyman feel to him on account of the fact that he’s bounced around the AHL and ECHL, but it’s worth noting that he’s still under 25 years old. This is a well-earned first NHL call up by a player who wasn’t even a full-time AHL player a calendar year ago, and it’s probably best to bring up someone like Froese, who may or may not play, rather than fool around with calling up William Nylander only to send him down after a few games or practices.
Meanwhile, some bad luck for Jake Gardiner – traditionally a slow starter since breaking the League – to have arguably his best start to an NHL campaign and then get injured. Let’s hope it’s not too serious.
As for Corrado, the Leafs are using the conditioning stint option to get him some time with the Marlies while he tries to get the systems down pat.
Friday Links:
- James Mirtle: Maple Leafs’ top outcome is a learning season filled with ‘good’ losses (The Globe and Mail)
They’re dull. They’re well-organized and efficient – defensively, anyway. They struggle to score. And, so far, they have really struggled to win. That probably won’t go up on the Air Canada Centre marquee, but it isn’t a particularly bad thing.
I - Jonas Siegel: Leafs’ scoring concerns realized early (TSN)
Mike Babcock and his staff wondered where the goals would come from this season. Very early on, those concerns have been realized. The Leafs scored one goal or less in four of their five losses, their only offensive explosion coming in Columbus against an admittedly rattled Sergei Bobrovsky.
I - Ryan Pyette: London Knight Mitch Marner likely to play wing during Canada-Russia Series (London Free Press)
“My first thought is Mitch, to play in the world juniors this year, may have to be on right wing,” Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada director of player personnel, said in a conference call to discuss the OHL’s roster for next month’s Canada-Russia Series stops in Owen Sound and Windsor. “Yet, watching him at centre in London and the success he has had, it gives us some tools and flexibility with his versatility to play centre or wing as we move on through the selection camp and exhibition games, and ultimately, the tournament.”
I - Michael Traikos: Ex-NHL player Michael Nylander and sons William and Alex making Ontario hockey a family affair (National Post)
“I’d never seen OHL games live, but Alex started thinking about it and he decided he wanted to try this,” said Michael Nylander. “And then all of a sudden, I got asked to help out and be an assistant coach. I think in the OHL, it’s run closer in some ways to the NHL. That’s a really good advantage.”
I - David Alter: Maple Leafs discover the power of positivity works wonders for Nazem Kadri (National Post)
“He supported me right after it happened. He told me not to worry about it and to shake it off,” Kadri said of the error. “I mean, he threw me out on the next shift. It definitely wasn’t an effort thing. At the end of the day, it’s still a turnover and I still have to make that play. But it’s nice to have that support.”
I - Scott Wheeler: Alex Nylander leaving family’s shadow behind ahead of 2016 draft (McKeen’s Hockey)
“He’s got a very accurate shot, he’s got great hands, he’s poised with the puck, he’s an elusive skater, he can twist and turn in tight and get himself out of trouble,” Boyd said, adding that comparisons to his brother are warranted. “He’s very much like his brother William with his skillset – exciting to watch.”
