Scott Sabourin
The Leafs inked Scott Sabourin to a one year deal to play for the Marlies. He’s a player who has NHL experience and will be called upon if the forwards get banged up. If he ever does get called up to play for the Leafs, he will be able to provide the team with a gritty player.
Last season with the Ottawa Senators, the now 28-year-old Sabourin played in 35 games scoring two goals and four assists with 74 hits recorded. This was his first ever season in the NHL.
Unlike the Senators, the Leafs don’t have a starting spot on the roster for a placeholder player like Sabourin as they’re not rebuilding and are trying to win now.
In his AHL career, he’s played in 308 games recording 77 points with 646 penalty minutes. He’s had three seasons where he’s spent more than 100 minutes in the box.
One thing Leafs fans will always remember about Sabourin is this moment with Matthews during last preseason.
Savage move: Auston Matthews was just trying to figure out who this guy was 😂
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) September 19, 2019
(It's Scott Sabourin) https://t.co/btt5uFSTFv pic.twitter.com/etm7QR7l0U
Grade: D
Travis Boyd
Unlike Sabourin, Travis Boyd was signed to a NHL contract for $700,000. Boyd has spent three seasons in the NHL all with the Washington Capitals. He has played in 85 games scoring just eight goals with 23 assists and wins faceoffs at a rate of 39.5%.
Boyd was simply a depth signing as he falls behind four different centres on the roster. Expect to see him healthy scratched often and will only play if a centreman gets injured.