Leafs Waived Players Clear, May Have To Play With Short Lineup In Opener (maple leafs)

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Leafs Waived Players Clear, May Have To Play With Short Lineup In Opener

By Mike Augello

Oct 10, 2022 • 2:45 pm

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a number of moves to get under the salary cap over the weekend and finalize their roster for the regular season. After sending down a group of players and getting forward Joey Anderson and defenseman Mac Hollowell through waivers on Saturday, the Leafs placed four veterans on waivers and as expected signed forward Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year contract worth $840,630.

Wayne Simmonds, Adam Gaudette, Kyle Clifford, and Victor Mete all cleared, and based on comments made by head coach Sheldon Keefe at practice, forward Denis Malgin has made the club, while winger Nick Robertson will be sent down in spite of leading the Leafs in scoring with eight points during the preseason, primarily because the 21-year-old winger is waiver-exempt.

The situation that Toronto faces for the season opener in Montreal on Wednesday has to do with the status of team captain John Tavares. The Leafs are currently at 20 players to be under the $82.5 million cap. Tavares practiced with the club at Ford Performance Centre on Monday, and might be available to play against the Habs on Wednesday, but if he cannot go, the Leafs cannot bring someone up on emergency recall until the home opener against Washington on Thursday and would have to play with 19 skaters at the Bell Centre.

“"It was really good. So far, I'm really happy with where I'm at, to be back out there with the group. Regardless of my status, to just to be back out there with the guys competing and preparing for the season it's exciting." Tavares said. "(We'll) reassess with performance and medical staff and go from there."

It is unknown who would be called up if Tavares is unable to go, but based on performance it would likely be Robertson after scoring eight points in five exhibition games. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Toronto sent an e-mail to other NHL clubs that Simmonds was available to be traded and wants to play in the NHL. Since Simmonds went unclaimed, the likely possibility is for him to be dealt for either future considerations or for a player making a similar one-way salary who has already cleared waivers to play for the AHL Marlies.

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