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Picture becoming clearer for Leafs lineup, BNWT Podcast with Bill Watters

October 10, 2016, 4:41 PM ET [395 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers and to the members of Leafs Nation.

The Toronto Maple Leafs roster got closer to the 23-player limit on Monday, as the club assigned four players to their American Hockey League affiliate and clarified their intentions on other players still in the mix.

After getting the training camp roster down to 29 prior to the exhibition finale in Detroit on Saturday, the Leafs placed defenseman Andrew Campbell, forwards Byron Froese, Colin Greening and Brooks Laich on waivers.

All four cleared on Monday, but the club demoted only three (along with injured winger Nikita Soshnikov) to the Toronto Marlies.

Laich continued to practice with the Leafs on Monday, as the veteran forward and winger Josh Leivo were extra skaters at the MasterCard Center in Etobicoke, ON.

The line combinations and defensive pairings (courtesy of the Sun’s Terry Koshan were reminiscent of those used against the Red Wings on the weekend.

Rookie Mitch Marner was once again in Phil Kessel’s old spot on right wing with James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. Nazem Kadri centered veterans Milan Michalek and Leo Komarov, 2016 top pick Auston Matthews skated with wingers Zach Hyman and William Nylander and the fourth line featured Peter Holland between Matt Martin and Connor Brown.

GM Lou Lamoriello indicated that forward Brandon Prust will not be signed but will continue to practice with the club and that “lingering injuries” may have an impact on the opening night lineup.

The fact that the 32-year-old Prust is remaining with the club without a contract could be an indicator that Toronto may be working on a move to create space on their roster and that he would be signed after that transaction is completed.

Center Tyler Bozak was dealing with an undisclosed injury last week, but played in the 4-3 loss to Detroit on Saturday. Leivo played only one game during the pre-season because of injury, but is now fully participating in team practices.

Leafs current training camp roster (25 players)

Goalie(2)
Andersen, Frederik
Enroth, Jhonas

Defense(8)
Carrick, Connor
Corrado, Frank
Gardiner, Jake
Hunwick, Matt
Marincin, Martin
Polak, Roman
Rielly, Morgan
Zaitsev, Nikita

Forwards(15)
Bozak, Tyler
Brown, Connor
Holland, Peter
Hyman, Zach
Kadri, Nazem
Komarov, Leo
Laich, Brooks
Leivo, Josh
Marner, Mitch
Martin, Matt
Matthews, Auston
Michalek, Milan
Nylander, William
van Riemsdyk, James

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A number of notable players were placed on waivers on Monday throughout the league, including former Leaf P-A Parenteau by the NY Islanders, Arizona defenseman Zbynek Michalek, Stanley Cup winners Gregory Campbell(CLB) and Rob Scuderi(LA) and goaltenders Mike Condon(MTL) and Ondrej Pavelec(WIN).

One player on the list that is an intriguing possibility and will likely be claimed by someone is Detroit winger Teemu Pulkkinen.

The 24-year-old Finn scored 30+ goals twice in the AHL with Grand Rapids, had six goals in 36 games with the Wings last season, makes $812,500 and becomes a restricted free agent after this season.

Pulkkinen played under Leafs coach Mike Babcock with Detroit two seasons ago and might be someone that Toronto could pluck off the waiver wire and insert into their lineup.

Toronto has the first waiver claim due to their 30th place finish last season and has some flexibility to make moves, since Connor Brown can be sent down to the AHL without clearing waivers.

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Lamoriello confirmed on Monday that Joffrey Lupul is unfit to play due to off-season stomach muscle surgery and back issues, which will likely lead to the veteran winger being placed on injured reserve or LTIR along with forward Nathan Horton and defenseman Stephane Robidas.


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Listen to this week’s edition of the Blue N’ White Tonight Podcast with special guest Bill Watters:



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