Toronto Maple Leafs opening-night roster features four new players and one surprise omission
The Toronto Maple Leafs are just about ready to go.
The Leafs unveiled their 23-man roster today, ahead of Wednesday night’s home opener against their long-time rival Montreal Canadiens.
And despite a pair of last-minute waiver claims earlier on Monday, there aren’t too many surprises for the final group, but there are plenty of new faces to get acquainted with.
The biggest change for fans just checking in for the first time is the obvious absence of Mitch Marner, who’s been replaced by trade acquisition Matias Maccelli on the team’s top line.
Here’s how the team’s forward group is set to line up:
- Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Matias Maccelli
- Bobby McMann-John Tavares-William Nylander
- Dakota Joshua-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
- Steven Lorentz-Nicolas Roy-Calle Jarnkrok
- Extras: Jacob Quillan, Sammy Blais
Dakota Joshua, a 2014 Leafs draft pick, is set to debut for the franchise more than a decade later after spending time in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks. Nicolas Roy joins the Leafs after being acquired in the sign-and-trade for Marner, while Sammy Blais is one of the aforementioned waiver claims.
Jacob Quillan played one game for the Leafs last year, and the 23-year-old surprisingly beat out top prospect Easton Cowan for the final roster spot, though TSN’s Chris Johnston called the decision a “cap-related move,” suggesting he might not get much playing time.
On defence, the Leafs bring back seven players from last season:
- Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
- Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Simon Benoit
- Extra: Philippe Myers
In net, Anthony Stolarz is the projected starter, while waiver-claim Cayden Primeau lines up behind him. The Leafs also announced Monday that they’d released James Reimer from his professional tryout contract.
The Leafs’ season begins Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.
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