It was moving day for the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltenders, as veteran backup Jhonas Enroth cleared waivers and former Calgary goalie Karri Ramo officially became part of the organization, signing a professional tryout contract with the AHL Toronto Marlies.
Ramo, 30, split time with Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio with Calgary the last two seasons and after being part of the Flames cinderella run to the playoffs in 2015, came back down to earth last season, going 17-18-1, with a 2.63 GAA and .909 save percentage in 37 games.
"There is no plan right now. In other words, we don't know where (Ramo is) at," Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello told
the Canadian Press on Tuesday. "He hasn't played in a while. We'll keep every option open. We wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't keep every option open, but there is no plan in place..."
The Marlies embark on a four-game road trip over the next seven days and it is expected that Ramo will play in at least two contests to see whether he is ready to return to the NHL.
"There are no guarantees (with the #Leafs),” Ramo’s agent Todd Diamond told the
Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. “but there's an opportunity there, no question about it."
Enroth has been demoted to the AHL, but with Garret Sparks, Ramo and Jeff Glass with the Marlies, it is highly unlikely that the 28-year-old Swede will get any playing time. The Leafs get full cap relief of $750,000 contract and it is possible that Enroth’s agent could be looking for an opportunity in Europe, which would lead to his one-year contract being terminated.
"(Ramo’s signing) has nothing to do with the decision on Jhonas Enroth," Lamoriello said. "Things just weren't working out to this point for whatever reason on the starts that (Enroth) was (given)."
Antoine Bibeau was recalled to backup Frederik Andersen, but based on Mike Babcock’s comments following practice on Tuesday, Andersen will be getting the lion’s share of the work during a stretch where the Leafs play six of their next seven games at Air Canada Center.
Toronto currently has 49 pro contracts and may have another spot opened with the resolution of Jared Cowen’s buyout dispute expected by Wednesday. If Enroth does find an opportunity in Europe, his contract with Toronto would be terminated, which would allow Ramo to be signed to a professional contract and the Leafs to stay at 48 pro contracts.
If Ramo does not perform well or suffers a health setback, it is possible that the Leafs will go outside the organization for a backup or possibly bring Enroth back if he has not gone elsewhere.
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On this week's Blue N' White Tonight Podcast, Toronto Sun Leafs beat reporter Terry Koshan drops by to talk about The Shanaplan so far, a change in expectations, and trade possibilities!
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