Ahead of Saturday’s preseason finale, the Toronto Maple Leafs made an additional round of cuts to their roster. Alex Steeves was placed on waivers for the purpose of being reassigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Maple Leafs forward Alex Steeves has been placed on waivers for purposes of reassignment to the @TorontoMarlies (AHL).
The following players have been reassigned to the @TorontoMarlies (AHL):
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 4, 2024
Joseph Blandisi, Nikita Grebenkin, Roni Hirvonen, Alex Nylander, Cedric Pare, Jacob Quillan, Logan Shaw and Ryan Tverberg were among the forwards assigned to the Marlies.
Mikko Kokkonen, Nicolas Mattinen, Topi Niemela, Matteo Pietroniro and Cade Webber are among the defencemen heading to the Marlies, while Artur Akhtyamov was the lone goalie reassigned.
Toronto plays its final preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, and it may be the final tryout opportunity for several players that remain in camp. Max Pacioretty has been virtually assured a spot, while Toronto’s top prospect, Easton Cowan, is still fighting for his place on the roster.
Cowan was Toronto’s first-round pick in 2023 and was the most dominant player in Canadian major junior hockey last season, but he can only be returned to the OHL, or remain in the NHL, and he’s been afforded every chance to make the Maple Leafs out of camp. It appears that Cowan, Steven Lorentz and roster regular Pontus Holmberg are among the Maple Leafs forwards still auditioning for a spot ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
There aren’t any particular surprises, especially when you consider that the Maple Leafs have a surplus of NHL forwards, while Niemela appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough. Grebenkin was the camp sleeper, highlighted by Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube for his size, speed, physicality and during the team bonding trip in Muskoka, Ontario, he won management and players over with his sense of humour.
In additional news, Jake McCabe and Calle Jarnkrok were listed as day-to-day with lower-body injuries.
