The Maple Leafs have made a pair of roster moves today as they’ve recalled wingers Alex Steeves and Wayne Simmonds, per the AHL’s Transactions log. CapFriendly clarifies (Twitter links) that both moves have been registered as emergency recalls and thus do not count against the post-deadline four-recall limit.
Steeves is back just one day after being sent down. The 23-year-old suited up in Tuesday’s game against New Jersey, marking his third NHL appearance of the campaign where he has been off the scoresheet. Steeves also got into three games at the top level last season but has spent the bulk of the campaign with the Marlies where he has 17 goals and 28 assists in 54 games, good for second on the team in scoring.
Simmonds, meanwhile, was sent down last month following the Ryan O’Reilly trade but hasn’t seen any action in the minors this season. The 34-year-old has suited up in 13 games for the Maple Leafs this season, recording just a single assist while averaging a career-low 7:25 per night. He’s in the final season of a two-year contract in what could be the swan song of a 15-year NHL career.
Prior to the recalls, Toronto had just 11 forwards on their roster. That permitted one of the moves to be an emergency recall while the other is likely hedging their bets in case center John Tavares isn’t able to return on Saturday against Edmonton although the captain was a full participant in practice today.
I loved Simmonds while he’s been a Leaf as he had done his policing job above expectations & then some. He may-be a good strength & possibly a fighting coach for the Leafs after this season is over, just to make the younger Leafs tougher as they come up to the next level. This would give the Leafs rookies & other Marlies a definite leg up on the competition, as there’s no real tough guys coming up through the minor league system’s anywhere & this would certainly be something different that would give the Leafs an edge, especially going into the postseason each year. They wouldn’t have to go out & give up picks to acquire that type of player, they would have them homegrown in their minor system.
Cheers!!!!