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The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to make maneuvers to clear as much cap space in advance of the April 12 NHL trade deadline, but in doing that the club has lost a pair of players via waivers. Last week, Vancouver claimed winger Jimmy Vesey when the Leafs attempted to send him to their taxi squad. On Monday, Toronto’s forward depth took another hit as the Canucks snagged forward Travis Boyd off the waiver wire.
The 27-year-old Boyd was signed to a one-year, $700,000 deal after spending three seasons with Washington and played well in a fourth line role for the Leafs, scoring eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 20 games, but with the return of Wayne Simmonds and the promotion of Alex Galchenyuk to the NHL roster, GM Kyle Dubas was looking to reduce the NHL roster size to be able to bring in a player or two over the next couple weeks.
With the loss of Boyd, the Leafs are carrying the minimum 12 forwards and six defensemen, and will have to rely on players on taxi squad like Alexander Barabanov or Nic Petan if an injury occurs or lineup shakeup is needed.
The Leafs 2-0 victory over Calgary was a much-needed boost for the club’s confidence after losing six of their last seven games. Jack Campbell made 31 saves for his second straight shutout (three weeks apart) and may get the next start against Ottawa on Thursday, but it may have nothing to do with earning the chance to take a run.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated after the win that Andersen has been dealing with a lower body injury on an ongoing basis. Michael Hutchinson backed up Campbell on Saturday and it is possible that the Leafs starter will be placed on injured reserve.
“Not unlike what we’ve been going through here of late, we’ve got to just really, with all of our goaltenders, see how they are, Jack included.… Keefe said. “Fred, as an example tonight, wasn’t available to back up for us. We’re going to have to monitor his situation. Jack, of course, we know what he’s been through here. There may not be much decision to be made for me (on Thursday). The goalies themselves based on their health, that may determine it for us.…
Following the four-day break, the Leafs schedule over the next two weeks is games every other night, which would allow the club to start Campbell for a string of games, if they are confident that he is fully recovered from the lower body injury after missing most of the last two months.
The club placed goalie Ian Scott on the taxi squad on Monday. Scott has been out with a groin injury since the start of training camp and missed all of last season after undergoing hip surgery. The move was made to allow Joseph Woll to get consistent work with the AHL Toronto Marlies and to get Scott back up to speed after missing so much time.
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) March 18, 2021
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