Toronto Maple Leafs: Josh Ho-Sang Signs AHL Deal and Roster Cuts

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Nicholas Robertson poses after being selected 53rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Nicholas Robertson poses after being selected 53rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)

When the Toronto Maple Leafs brought Josh Ho-Sang into training camp on a professional tryout (PTO), it was deemed by some to be his last chance at a pro career.

Going into training camp, he knew it would be a long shot to make the Toronto Maple Leafs opening night roster.

He worked hard in training camp and performed well during pre-season games. She showed the team that he was hungry and willing to put in the effort. Ho-Sang will not be on the Leafs opening night roster, but he did earn a spot within the organization.

The Toronto Marlies announced yesterday that they signed Ho-Sang to a one-year AHL contract. This will allow Ho-Sang to play at a pro-level and give Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas time to see if Ho-Sang can keep the strong work ethic going all season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Make Cuts

By signing Ho-Sang to an AHL deal, Toronto will not need to pass him through waivers. They can sign him to an NHL deal if and when they need him up on the main roster.

Ho-Sang will be given every opportunity to succeed with the Toronto Marlies. He will get more playing time in the AHL than if he made the Maple Leafs lineup.

For a player who has not played in the NHL since the 2018-19 season and has been written off by most NHL teams, it is nice to see Ho-Sang being given this opportunity.

As we approach the beginning of a new NHL season, it was known that Toronto would be making cuts to their training camp roster. The first set of significant cuts came around 5 pm on Tuesday before the team’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The first set of cuts included top prospect Nick Robertson. He was assigned to the Toronto Marlies along with Mikhail Abramov, Joseph Duszak, Noel Hoefenmayer, Teemu Kivihalme, Jack Kopacka, and Jeremy McKenna.

After their game against the Canadiens, Toronto announced even more roster cuts. These cuts included the release of Nikita Gusev from his PTO. Gusev showed off some of his skill during pre-season games, but failed to stand out. He will now be an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.

The rest of the later cuts will be joining the previous roster cuts down in the AHL with the Marlies. Those cut after the game were Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Mac Hollowell, Erik Källgren, and Kristiāns Rubīns.