The Maple Leafs have reduced their training camp roster to 35, as they demoted 2011 first round pick Tyler Biggs and defenseman Jesse Blacker to the Toronto Marlies.
The 20-year-old Biggs scored 26 goals and 27 assists with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL last season and is expected to have a big role under new Marlies coach Steve Spott. The 22-year-old Blacker scored four goals and seven assists in 61 games for the Leafs AHL affiliate in 2012-13.
The good news coming out of training camp on Wednesday is that winger Joffrey Lupul practiced for the first time since experiencing back spasms late last week, the bad news is that the club that led the NHL with 44 fights in 2013 is running short of healthy enforcers.
The Globe And Mail’s James Mirtle reports that in addition to the injuries to tough guys Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren, winger Troy Bodie is also absent from the ice at the MasterCard Center in Etobicoke, ON.
The 31 year old Orr led the NHL with 13 fighting majors last season and has just begun to practice with the club after sitting a week with a bruised leg.
The 25 year old McLaren has a broken pinky courtesy of a Carter Ashton slash in the Blue and White Scrimmage on Saturday and is expected to be out for a minimum of two weeks, but since his hands are an important part of role on the club, it could be a longer stint on the injured list.
Bodie has garnered more attention since being signed in July because of his relationship by marriage to new MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke, but the 28-year-old enforcer has played 107 career NHL games with Anaheim and Carolina and was presumably brought in to provide muscle for the AHL Toronto Marlies and as a reserve in case Orr or McLaren are injured or suspended.
The injuries to the Toronto pugilists may be good news for a youngster like Carter Ashton who is pressing for a roster spot or for fans who believe that fourth line duty should go to more skilled and speedy players, but coach Randy Carlyle believes that exposes the Leafs skill players to intimidation.
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There continues to be a sizeable gap between the Leafs and restricted free agent Cody Franson. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the club is offering between $2.4 Million to $2.5 Million per season on a two year deal and that the 26-year-old blueliner is looking for a one-year deal.
Dreger believes there is room for compromise, where a deal could get done if the Leafs offer in the neighborhood of $3 Million, which is the amount that Franson is looking for.
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