Rindell Me This: Are the Toronto Maple Leafs About to Make a Move?

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a move that went well under the radar. On Thursday, they cut ties with a player who struggled to climb his way up the pro ranks.

Axel Rindell was placed on unconditional waivers in order to terminate his contract. While this isn’t big news for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the National Hockey League (NHL) level, it could mean that the organization is freeing up a spot to bring a big name player into the fold.

Every organization in the league can carry a maximum of 50 players on standard player contract.

Now that Rindell has cleared waivers and has officially exited, it brings the total SPCs to 49, meaning there is a vacant spot to use somewhere within the organization. While Justin Holl seems like the obvious spot to upgrade, or at least did before he somehow became an indispensable top pairing monster, with the additional contract space, the Maple Leafs do have a little more flexibility to make a move.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Rindell Me This…

There’s no shame in even the biggest die-hard Leafs fan being unfamiliar with Rindell. That’s because he’s never made it to the NHL. In fact, he also struggled in his opportunity with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Rindell’s primary assignment this season was to play for the Maple Leafs East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers. The 22-year old defenseman from Finland was playing his first year of pro hockey in North America. He played in just five games for the Growlers where he recorded a pair of goals and a pair of assists.

Rindell was called up to the AHL where, as an offensive defenseman, Coach Greg Moore was hopeful that the Maple Leafs 2020 sixth-round draft pick (177th overall) would help his club get on the scoreboard. That’s not how things turned out. Rindell played in six contests and did not record a point.

Rindell was an overage pick, in a draft that occurred after a year no one really played very much or saw anyone play very much.  You aren’t going to punt on an 18 year old you draft two years later, but with an overeager, I guess you can.  Still, it’s a bit of an unusual move, so that is why speculation has picked up in the rumour mill. 

Now that Rindell’s contract has been terminated with the Leafs, he is a free to look for another club. The most likely landing spot for him would be a return to the Finnish Liiga. Last year, in Liiga, he struggled for Jukurit, where just like with the Marlies, he struggled to make an impact.

Rindell’s struggle is likely what led to him being traded to Karpat. The change of scenery didn’t help the defenseman score but he did collect a handful of assists. In 26 games with Karpat, Rindell recorded a goal and 11 helpers. This could very likely be where he is headed.

Hopefully, wherever Rindell lands, he is able to find success. He has a long career ahead of him with plenty of opportunity to further his development.