UPDATE: The Leafs have signed Brad Boyes to a one-year deal worth $700,000.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs reduced their training camp roster by four on Sunday, as 2015 top pick Mitch Marner was sent back to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, goaltender Rob Madore was demoted to the club’s minor league camp and have released veteran forwards Curtis Glencross and Devin Setoguchi from their professional tryout contracts.
Toronto is down to 42 players and will likely make another round of cuts following their game against the Sabres in Buffalo on Tuesday night.
Marner had some impressive moments at the Rookie Tournament two weeks ago and during the first week of training camp, but was always destined to return to London for another season in the OHL and a prominent spot on Team Canada’s World Junior squad in December.
Glencross and Setoguchi did not stand out in training camp or in limited action during exhibition games, including Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Setoguchi started the game on the top line with James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak and was replaced later in the game by winger Leo Komarov.
The release of the forwards may improve the odds of veteran Brad Boyes earning a pro contract, who scored 38 points(14 goals, 24 assists) in 78 games for the Florida Panthers last season.
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The buzz regarding potential interest in New Jersey center Travis Zajac continues, as
the Newark Star-Ledger’s Rich Chere indicates it is no secret that Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello would like to acquire the 30-year-old center and has discussed several potential deals with Devils GM Ray Shero.
The names of Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk have been mentioned as potential targets of interest for New Jersey, but a deal involving those players do not add up for Toronto in their current transitional stage with Zajac under contract for another five seasons with a $5.75 Million annual salary.
Lamoriello has a history of re-acquiring players he knows, but the rather public nature of this rumor is a reason to be quite skeptical of it. The former Devils GM is known for being very covert in his dealings, as was the case with the trade for winger Michael Grabner with the New York Islanders last week. No one had any inkling of that deal prior to the moment it was announced.
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Ex-Leafs Files
The Arizona Coyotes released former Toronto defenseman Keith Aulie from a professional tryout contract on Sunday. The 26-year-old blueliner was traded by the Leafs to Tampa Bay in February 2012 for Carter Ashton and spent 2+ seasons with the Lightning before playing 33 games with Edmonton last season.
The Dallas Stars also released former Leafs farmhand Jesse Blacker from a PTO. Blacker was part of the 2013 trade to acquire Peter Holland from Anaheim and played one NHL games for the Ducks last season before being traded to the Florida Panthers.
See Previous Columns
Lamoriello Looking To Bring In Familiar Faces; Leafs Vs Habs
Reasons Nylander Will Not Make The Team, Leafs Vs. Sabres; Leaf Buzz
Out With The Old, In With The New?
Nylander, Gardiner Impress In Win Over Habs, Leafs Cut Seven
The Dual Rebuild, Lamoriello Leading
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