Toronto Maple Leafs News: Sign a Player, Waive a Player

The Toronto Maple Leafs begin their quest for the Stanley Cup October 13th, against the Montreal Canadiens – in less than two weeks.

With Sheldon Keefe’s extension, the Amazon series coming out, some training camp cuts, a player on waivers, a player getting a contract, and an intra-squad game, not to mention the buzz around Michael Bunting’s preseason hattrick, it was quite the busy week for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

To begin with, the Leafs beat the Senators 4-0, which was a great night for new Leafs Petr Mrazek and Michael Bunting.  They then cut William Villeneuve  (who also just signed an ECL the other day), Rich Clune and Curtis Douglas, according to their official PR account.

The Leafs also waived Teemu Kivihalme, which I assume also means he was cut?

Other Toronto Maple Leafs News and Notes

The All or Nothing series is out, and I watched the first episode. I think it’s pretty cool to get to see behind the scenes, especially the stuff where Keefe and Dubas are talking.  If that’s all the series was, I’d watch every minute.

Keefe’s contract is a smart move, the Leafs aren’t hurting for money, so why let him go through the whole lame duck thing?   No downside here at all, although I’m sure some people will complain about it for no reason whatsoever.

If you ever wondered how much appetite for the Leafs there is, consider this: they apparently televised an intra-squad game.  For a team that just disappointed its fans for a 54th straight year.  Do you ever consider how insane people are going to go if they ever actually win?

Check this out –

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1444095872774512645

The Leafs better sign this guy, assuming he’ll go to the AHL and wait for an opportunity.  They can’t just let talent like this walk because they don’t have a lineup spot ready just this second.  Huge Gusev fan here, and I hope he signs.

The final piece of news (although I’m sure I left something out) is that the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Braeden Kressler, which is certainly an interesting way to spell Brayden.  I have never heard of this guy before, but I’m sure he’s the best.  Let’s learn all about him together.  If you didn’t click the link, there were only five sentences, so I’m thinking maybe he’s not quite the best.

All in all, I’d have to say I am pretty excited for Kressler,.  As for the Leafs, they will most likely continue to make it interesting in the lead up to the season – there is 48 more pre-season games, a Morgan Rielly extension, and (hopefully) an unexpected trade still to come.