UPDATE - 11:00
As discussed below, the Leafs needed to open up some roster space to activate Matt Frattin, as he is about ready to return from knee surgery and GM Dave Nonis has done this, as Toronto has traded rugged winger Mike Brown to the Edmonton Oilers for a 4th round pick in 2014.
The 27 year old native of Northbrook, IL was acquired by Toronto for a fifth round pick in 2010 and scored five goals and eight assists in 112 games over three seasons. Brown was an effective fourth line energy forward and fighter, but had numerous injuries during his time in Toronto that limited his availabilty.
Brown was injured during a fight with Buffalo defenseman Mike Weber on January 29th and missed eight games with an injured shoulder, which resulted in the claiming of winger Frazer McLaren from the San Jose Sharks. McLaren has scored twice in 15 games since joining the club and is more in line with the big, bruising forwards that coach Randy Carlyle likes.
Brown has one year remaining on a three-year contract extension signed with the Leafs in 2011 with a salary of $736,667 and should provide some grit, energy and protection to the young Oilers.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs need to take advantage of a March schedule littered with home games to stay in the running for a playoff spot.
Their task will be a difficult one, as this week they face a daunting schedule with four teams currently residing the top eight of the Eastern Conference.
On Monday, the New Jersey Devils visit the Air Canada Center trailing Toronto in the standings by a single point, but they will be without the services of NHL career shutout leader Martin Brodeur, who is currently day to day with a sore back.
They face Northeast Division rivals Ottawa and Boston back to back Wednesday and Thursday. The Senators have slumped recently, losing to Philadelphia and the NY Islanders, which may be indicative that the absence of the injured stars Erik Karlsson an Jason Spezza has begun to take its toll, while the Bruins have vaulted to the top spot in the conference, where most pundits expected them to be.
The week will conclude with Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins coming to Toronto on Saturday night, with their high powered offense that leads the league with 77 goals for.
Goalie James Reimer, who showed some rust in the Leafs 5-4 overtime victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday, will likely get the start against New Jersey and is expected to get the bulk of the work.
Winger Matt Frattin, who has been out nearly three weeks after having a procedure performed his surgically repaired knee, is expected to return at some point this week, but unless he is sent down to the AHL for a conditioning stint.
According to FAN 590's David Alter, winger Joffrey Lupul has started to participate in full practices, but is still weeks away from returning.
When Frattin and Lupul return, Leafs GM Dave Nonis will face a dilemma of how to make space for them on the 23 man roster.
Only three players on the current roster; leading scorer Nazem Kadri, Leo Komarov and Korbinian Holzer do not have to clear waivers to be sent down to the Toronto Marlies. That means that depth forwards like David Steckel and Frazer McLaren might have to be sent down and be exposed to potential waiver claim by another team, Holzer may be demoted to make room and have veterans John-Michael Liles or Mike Komisarek play in his place or that a trade may be necessary to open up space.
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2012 first round pick Morgan Rielly and the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors will have their season ended prematurely, as the Warriors were eliminated from any postseason possibilities over the weekend.
Moose Jaw plays their final game on March 16th against the Brandon Wheat Kings, after which Rielly would be free to join the Toronto Marlies.
There is an outside chance the organization would choose to bring him to the Leafs, but that would kick in the first year of Rielly's three year entry-level contract and add defenseman to an already stockpiled blueline.
If the Leafs assign Rielly to the Marlies, his entry-level deal will not kick in and he would have the benefit of valuable pro experience under the tutelage of Dallas Eakins for the remainder of the AHL season, giving him an advantage going into next year's training camp.
The Marlies begin a seven game road trip on St. Patrick's Day that will keep them away from Toronto till the end of March, which means that Rielly's home debut would like be on Saturday, March 30th against Abbotsford.
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