The Toronto Maple Leafs recently re-signed RFA forward Nick Robertson to a one-year deal worth $875,000. Robertson had reportedly asked for a trade as he was unhappy with the limited playing time he received. However, new head coach Craig Berube met with Robertson, which led to Robertson re-signing with the Leafs. (All salary information is from puckpedia.com)
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Max Pacioretty to a professional tryout (PTO). Still, many speculate that the Leafs will look to make a trade to free up enough cap space to sign Pacioretty to a one-year deal.
The Leafs also made the signing of defenseman Jani Hakanpää official. During the beginning of free agency, the Leafs agreed to a one-year deal with Hakanpää worth $1.47 million. However, due to an issue with his knees, Toronto waited until he got medically cleared before making it official.
Down in the AHL, the Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, made a few signings. On Wednesday, September 11th, the Marlies announced the signing of five players. They re-signed forwards Robert Mastrosimone and Zach Solow, along with defencemen Tommy Miller and Matteo Pietroniro, to one-year AHL contracts. Defenceman Ryan McCleary has also signed a one-year AHL contract. On Thursday, September 12th, the Marlies re-signed Joseph Blandisi to a one-year AHL contract.
These six players will be looked upon to help the Marlies produce a better season than last year. Here is a closer look at each of the Marlies recent signings.
Toronto Marlies sign 6 players
Robert Mastrosimone
Mastrosimone is 23 years old, and he registered four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 45 games with the Marlies this past season and skated in three playoff games. The Bay Shore, New York native appeared in 121 career NCAA games with Arizona State University and Boston University, where he registered 32 goals and 60 assists. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (54th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
(All stats from eliteprospects.com)
Zach Solow
Solow is 25 years old, and he registered 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 66 games with the Marlies last season, including two game-winning goals. He also collected two assists in three playoff games. The Naples, Florida native captured the Kelly Cup in 2022 with the Florida Everblades (ECHL).
Tommy Miller
Miller is 25 years old, and he registered one goal and four assists in 44 games with the Marlies last season. He also appeared in two playoff games, picking up two assists. The West Bloomfield, Michigan native split the 2022-23 season between the Marlies and the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL), picking up seven assists in 40 games with Toronto.
He registered two goals and four assists for six points in 15 games with the Growlers and also added two goals and three assists in 16 playoff games. The 6’2, 194-pound defenceman appeared in 174 career NCAA games between Michigan State University and Northeastern University, registering 36 points (6 goals, 30 assists) and capturing the NCAA (Hockey East) Championship in 2021-22.
Matteo Pietroniro
Pietroniro is 25 years old, 6'1 and 185 pounds. He registered two goals and seven assists in 41 games with the Marlies last season. He also appeared in three playoff games, registering one goal and one assist. The Boise, Idaho native played in 64 games with the Growlers from 2021 to 2023, registering five goals and 25 assists for 30 points.
Ryan McCleary
McCleary is a 21-year-old, 6'3, 181-pound defenseman. He appeared in 56 games with the Swift Current Broncos (WHL) last season, setting career highs in assists (25) and points (36). He also recorded six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in nine playoff games. The young defenceman previously played in 147 games with the Portland Winterhawks, where he registered 21 goals and 47 assists for 68 points. The Swift Current, Saskatchewan native was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round (194th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Joseph Blandisi
Blandisi is a 30-year-old, 6'0, 183 pounds forward. He set career highs in goals (25), assists (34) and points (59) through 70 games with the Marlies last season. He also led all Marlies in points and was 15th overall in the AHL. The product of Markham, Ontario, picked up three points in three playoff games. This season will be his fourth season with the Marlies.
He has appeared in 101 career NHL games, registering 31 points (10 goals,21 assists), and has collected 286 points (111 goals, 175 assists) in 390 career AHL games. Blandisi was originally drafted in the sixth round (162nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.