Maple Leafs forward Matt Frattin has been demoted to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL after being placed on waivers on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Frattin was obtained in July from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Jerry D’Amigo and has been a disappointment in his second tour with Toronto(no points in six games, averaging 7:02 TOI).
Toronto did more organizational housekeeping on Thursday, as minor-leaguer Petri Kontiola was placed on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. The 30-year-old center was signed to a one-year, $1.1 Million contract in July and was expected to challenge for a bottom six role after impressive performances for Finland at the Sochi Olympics and in the World Championships, but struggled at training camp to keep up with speedier forwards and was demoted to the AHL.
Kontiola did not score in 11 games with the Marlies and likely knew that his chances for being recalled by the Leafs were slim. With the termination of the deal, the Leafs clear an additional $175,000 in cap room(which is over and above the $925,000 salary that can be buried in the AHL) and according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, Kontiola will return to the KHL once he clears waivers on Friday.
*******
The Maple Leafs face a difficult task in their attempt to break their three-game losing streak, as they face the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Center on Thursday. The Lightning are second in the NHL standings with 28 points(13-5-2) behind Montreal, but are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday.
Markham native Steven Stamkos trails only Rick Nash with 12 goals on the season and is tied with Phil Kessel for fourth in league scoring with 22 points.
Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop(11-2-2, 2.26 GAA, .919 Sv%) will get the start for Tampa after backup Evgeni Nabokov took the loss on Long Island, while Jonathan Bernier is the likely starter for the Leafs. Bernier was pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots vs Nashville on Tuesday, but has a 2-0-0 career record against the Lightning, with a 1.50 GAA and .961 Sv%.
Toronto held an optional skate on Thursday comprised mostly of players on the injured list trying to get back up to speed. Leafs coach Randy Carlyle indicated that forwards Joffrey Lupul and David Booth are close to being ready for game action, while Brandon Kozun still needs time to recover from the high ankle sprain suffered on October 17.
At an energetic practice on Wednesday, the Leafs tinkered slightly with their line combinations, flipping Nazem Kadri and Peter Holland with their recent set of wingers. Kadri is expected to line up with Leo Komarov and Mike Santorelli on Thursday, while Holland(-4 vs Nashville) will play between Daniel Winnik and David Clarkson.
*******
A Costly Jersey Toss
The Maple Leafs hope that their play over the next month (which includes 11 of the next 14 games at Air Canada Center) will cease the throwing of jerseys on the ice, which has become the new symbol of fan’s growing discontent, but according to the Toronto Sun’s
Lance Hornby , MLSE officials warn fans who want to express their displeasure in that way are at risk being banned from building events for life and could face charges for trespassing.
“That’s their choice.” Carlyle said after the morning skate on Thursday. “Obviously their doing it out of frustration and we’re as frustrated as anybody.”
The tossing of paraphernalia has occurred four times, including the 6-2 loss in Buffalo on Saturday and 9-2 drubbing by Nashville on Tuesday. The Leafs players understand the anguish of their fan base, but think that they way of expressing it is beyond the call.
“You want to boo us, but you’re disrespecting all the great players and the great teams they ‘ve had before us here.” Phil Kessel said on Wednesday. “I think that’s pretty classless to throw a jersey on the ice like that.”
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
For Those on Twitter:
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information
click here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»