On Saturday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they placed Bobby McMann on the injured reserve (IR) and assigned forward Alex Steeves to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Maple Leafs F Bobby McMann has been placed on IR (retroactive to November 27) and F Alex Steeves has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
F Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies have been activated from IR.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 30, 2024
McMann was injured during Wednesday night’s game against the Florida Panthers, while Steeves was with the Leafs on an emergency basis after being recalled on Nov.12. With Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies expected to return from injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Steeves goes back down to the minors to make room for two of Toronto’s top-line forwards.
Head coach Craig Berube seemed to downplay McMann’s injury earlier this week, calling the injury day-to-day, so this is likely just a cap move while the Maple Leafs continue to shuffle forwards in the wake of their barrage of injuries up front.
Steeves appeared in four games in his recent call-up with the big club and did not hit the scoresheet throughout his brief stint. Under head coach Craig Berube, Steeves averaged 11:01 of ice time throughout the four games. While he didn’t chip in with any offence, something the Leafs could use desperately right now, Steeves did land 11 hits and showed off his speed and work ethic during his first time playing in front of Berube. Steeves also recorded four shots on goal in his four games.
Steeves was on fire with the Marlies when he was recalled, registering nine goals in 10 games as well as three assists. His recent four-game stretch with the Leafs was the longest callup of his career, and he’s certainly put himself in the conversation for another call-up down the road this season. Steeves brings the type of energy Berube is looking for from his bottom-six forwards.
Because Steeves is on a two-way contract, he does not have to clear waivers to be sent down to the Marlies. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Steeves was our #10 ranked Leafs’ prospect heading into the new year. The St. Paul, MN native will look to once again find his groove with the Marlies and do his best to earn another callup at some point down the line this season.
The Maple Leafs are in Tampa Bay to face off against the Lightning on Saturday and are back home next week to host the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday and the Nashville Predators on Wednesday.
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