Per the the Leafs Twitter feed, the club has loaned defenseman Viktor Loov to the Toronto Marlies.
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The Maple Leafs will be without Cody Franson for the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, but the club hopes to have big defenseman back in time for Saturday’s match against Pittsburgh.
Franson skated with his teammates at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON on Tuesday, but is still hampered by the bruised knee suffered on September 28 against Buffalo.
“It’s frustrating, you put all the effort into the summer and through training camp to try to be ready for the home opener and I started feeling real good out there and the injury happened and you miss a week.” Franson said.
In addition to forwards Colton Orr, Frazer McLaren and defenseman Korbinian Holzer clearing waivers on Tuesday, the Leafs did a bit of necessary cap influenced roster shuffling by placing Franson on the long-term injury list, demoting rookie Stuart Percy and recalling forward Troy Bodie.
Percy will be brought back up to make his first NHL start against the Habs, but once Franson is able to suit up, it is uncertain whether the Leafs hierarchy will want the 21-year-old defenseman watching games from the press box or playing major minutes with the Marlies.
For Wednesday at least, the rookie defenseman worked with Dion Phaneuf on the first power play unit at practice and was paired with veterans Roman Polak and Stephane Robidas during 5-on-5 drills as head coach Randy Carlyle looks for the best combinations for the home opener.
While many popped champagne corks at the demise of the enforcer in Toronto, the recall of Bodie should be an indicator that Colton Orr and possibly Frazer McLaren will make appearances when needed this season.
The 6’5” 220lb Bodie played well as an energy forward last season, scoring 10 points in 47 games, dropping the gloves when needed and hitting everything in sight.
With the moves today, placing winger David Booth on LTIR(who is expected to be out until the end of October with a foot fracture), the reassigning of 2014 first rounder William Nylander to MODO in the SHL and defensive prospect Viktor Loov, the Leafs are now down to 22 players.
Reports on Monday indicated that the 21-year-old Loov would not be released from his contract with MODO to be allowed to play for the Marlies, which the Maple Leafs would prefer for his development.
A final determination has to be made by 5pm Tuesday, but it is expected that Loov will be returning to Sweden.
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