Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Roster Cut Mistakes

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate after an NHL hockey game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks on October 07, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Toronto won in overtime 7-6. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate after an NHL hockey game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks on October 07, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Toronto won in overtime 7-6. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Calle Rosen (48) plays the puck around the net during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 19, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Calle Rosen (48) plays the puck around the net during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 19, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

D.J. Llewellyn

What would I have done differently when assembling the final roster? Not a whole lot, to be honest.

Frederik Gauthier is only up with the Leafs until Nylander is signed, so that’s taken care of. Keep Garret Sparks as the backup and banking on his age and previous year over McElhinney is ultimately the right choice in my eyes.

I would have rather kept Connor Carrick but it’s clear Mike Babcock wasn’t going to use him. Justin Holl has earned his shot. The only thing I’d do is swap Martin Marincin with Calle Rosen. Simply put, I believe Marincin’s time with the Leafs is over. I’d have no problem putting him on waivers, and it’s completely understandable to expect him to pass through unclaimed.

The only reason I can see as compelling enough to keep him along as the seventh D-man is to make sure Rosen keeps getting playing time instead of warming the bench.

There weren’t really any surprises here.