Toronto Maple Leafs: Josh Leivo traded to make room for William Nylander
With the Toronto Maple Leafs needing to make room on the roster for Wiliam Nylander, they have traded Josh Leivo to the Vancouver Canucks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs answered the question on everybody’s mind which was who comes out with William Nylander impending return and unfortunately for Josh Leivo, he was the odd man out.
Leivo was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for AHL forward Michael Carcone in a one-for-one trade that prevents them from losing a player on waivers. This is the second trade the Leafs have made to bolster the Toronto Marlies after trading Andrew Nielsen for Morgan Klimchuk last week.
What this means is Travis Dermott gets back in the Leafs lineup ahead of their big game against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. The defenceman was sent down on Sunday to the AHL as a paper move but was expected to be back once another move could be made.
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It is an unfortunate end to Leivo’s time with the Leafs after he spent most of last season in the press box and was never going to see a role past the fourth line considering the depth the Leafs have upfront.
Leivo finishes his Leafs career with 14 goals, 14 points for 28 points in 84 career games and played in every Leafs game this season. Carcone was undrafted free agent signed by the Canucks and has six goals, 11 assists and 17 points this season with the Utica Comets.
The Leafs now get a younger forward that can contribute with the Marlies and potentially open up an opportunity for someone to come up and play down the road. Leivo was an RFA at the end of the season and probably is better off being on a team that needs someone to play a more offensive role in their top nine.
Expect players like Trevor Moore, Carl Grundstrom, Mason Marchment and Jeremy Bracco to get their chance when the time comes and they will be cost-effective players the Leafs will need to turn to especially next season.
While people might think the return for Leivo is underwhelming, it is better than losing him for nothing. They have enough depth on the wing that this move shouldn’t be a big concern.
Next. Could William Nylander still be traded?. dark
What do you think of the Leafs trading Leivo? Did they choose the right player or should they have moved somebody else? Let us know in the comments below.