Toronto Maple Leafs: In with the Old, out with the New
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made some roster changes.
I was in Niagara Falls at some restaurant near my hotel Saturday night, watching as much of the Toronto Maple Leafs game as I could, only to see the Ottawa Senators hand them their second loss of the season.
Speaking of which, I’m sorry I didn’t get any content out, but I’m thrilled to be back.
Anyways, that’s one game I’m happy I was away for and couldn’t write my post-game analysis afterward, but seriously, the Senators are the Leafs Achilles heel.
From what I watched (and I have yet to sit down and actually watch it from beginning to end), the Leafs didn’t look 100% out of sync.
It’s just that the Senators were playing better hockey, but not to worry, it’s just a loss early on and the Leafs will bounce back.
Since that game, management has made a number of different moves and we’re going to break down each one and by that I mean I’m going to give my personal thoughts on them.
The moves being the signing of Roman Polak, demoting Calle Rosen to the AHL and waiving Eric Fehr.
Let’s get to it.
The Roman Empire
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We’ll go in order, starting with the rise of the Roman Empire and no, I didn’t think of that clever phrase, so I need to give credit where credit is due.
Yes, Polak has been brought back to the Leafs for another year with a cap hit of $1.1 million, which will actually only see him being paid around $990,000, the reasoning is here.
A month or two ago, I wouldn’t have been a fan of this move, but after watching the Leafs first eight games I can confidently say that this is good, for two reasons.
- Polak can help split the penalty killing role between Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey and himself
- He brings more physicality, which is needed
We already know what we get with him, so his help on the penalty kill will be great moving forward and whether you like it or not, our Leafs are getting bullied around the net.
Put Polak in that situation and there will be a lot less of that, trust me.
He’ll make his 2017-18 NHL/Leafs season debut tonight when the Los Angeles Kings come for a visit and guess who’s going to be in the lineup for them.
Brooks Laich.
A really solid ambassador for the game of hockey and I wish him nothing but the best of luck in LA, hoping he contributes a lot to the organization.
Not All Roses
Alright, with Polak entering the lineup, it meant someone was going to be sent down to the Toronto Marlies and that someone is Rosen, totally fine by me.
Out of him and Andreas Borgman, the latter has impressed me more and it’s no shot at Rosen as he just needs more time in development.
The last note of discussion is that Fehr was waived, not exactly a feel-good move for me as I thought he played well during his time with the Leafs, but ebbs and flows, right?
Who knows if he’ll be claimed (he does have a hefty price tag to account for), but he’s a solid utility player and if he doesn’t, he’ll suit up in the AHL and help enhance the youngsters.
Dominic Moore takes center stage on the fourth line.