The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced the final wave of roster moves prior to the start of the season opener on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. Four players are bound for waivers as Kenny Agostino, Garrett Wilson, Kevin Gravel and Nic Petan are all on one-way contracts and will need to clear before being assigned to the AHL Toronto Marlies. This is a tough break for Nic Petan, who played well during the exhibition season. It seems as though Petan never could find his way into the good graces of Mike Babcock. There's a good chance that Petan may be claimed and get a shot with another club.
Veteran winger, Matt Read, has been released from his PTO, but has elected to sign an AHL contract to play with the Marlies this season, no doubt hoping to play well enough to parlay that opportunity into an NHL contract at some point this season. Read's addition to camp really amped up the competition for a spot in the bottom six. Apparently, the 33-year-old really made an impression on the coaching staff with his NHL level shot and skating abilities.
After much speculation and anticipation, Rasmus Sandin has officially made the team out of training camp. Whether or not he stays there past his 9 game trial remains to be seen. The 19-year-old Sandin definitely turned some heads in the exhibition season, punching well above his weight class with his dominant two-way play and undeniable poise and calming influence on the back end for the Buds. This kid is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Joining Sandin with the big club will be fellow Swede, Timothy Liljegren, Martin Marincin and Justin Holl. Although it is more likely that Liljegren joins the team for a cup of coffee before winding up back with the Marlies for another full season in the AHL to continue to develop, this still presents an opportunity for the former first-rounder to gain some valuable experience at the NHL level to start the season. Liljegren is expected to be in a rotation with Marincin and Holl to play on the right side of Rasmus Sandin while the club awaits the return of Travis Dermott from injury.
Russian winger, Yegor Korshkov, has been assigned to the AHL Marlies following a fantastic training camp to draw top 6 minutes in the American League to become acclimated to the North American game. Early reviews of Korshkov have been fantastic.
Dmytro Timashov, Nick Shore and Ilya Mikheyev appear to be the big winners for the spots available in the Leafs third and fourth lines. It is my belief that Mikheyev will stick with the Leafs this season, while one of Timashov or Shore will be sent down once Zach Hyman returns from injury. The 24-year-old Mikheyev seemed to impress everyone with his remarkable skill, hard-nosed style and top notch skating ability. He is expected to begin the season with Alexander Kerfoot and Trevor Moore on the third line, while Timashov and Shore will likely alternate on the 4th line with Gauthier and Spezza.
Kalle Kossila and Mason Marchment will remain with the team as injured non-roster players.
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