The Leafs appear to be getting one step closer to seeing some regulars return to the fold as Max Lajoie was loaned to the Marlies this afternoon.
He was initially brought up last week after Mark Giordano had to step away from the team after the sudden passing of his father. Lajoie played in three games during that stretch before being a healthy scratch after Morgan Rielly and William Lagesson were cleared to return.
He has appeared in seven games for the Leafs so far this season with one assist. In the AHL by contrast, Lajoie has recorded 17 points (two goals and 15 assists) in 31 games played.
As alluded to earlier, Lajoie going back to the Marlies likely means the Leafs are about to see more of their regulars return to the fold. Giordano did not play this past week and appears to be on track to return for Toronto’s tilt against the Golden Knights on Tuesday. They will also need to keep in mind that Calle Jarnkrok and Joseph Woll could soon be available again and that means another roster move will have to be made to fit all three players back onto the roster.
Some may suspect that Pontus Holmberg could get sent down since he does not require waivers to pass through, but he has been playing well of late and should instead continue to get a longer look with the Leafs. Martin Jones might need to be placed on waivers to make room for Woll, but Toronto is better off leaving him up given how desperate a lot of teams are for goalies and the uncertainty about how Woll will do once he returns. Nick Robertson has also found his groove so he should also remain with the big club despite him also not needing waivers.
That leaves Noah Gregor as the prime candidate to get sent down to clear a path for Giordano, Woll, and Jarnkrok to return. Despite possessing incredible speed, Gregor has not provided much else to warrant an extended stay in the lineup and has struggled mightily for weeks so putting him on waivers would make sense.
No matter which direction the Leafs choose, Lajoie getting sent down is the prelude to another roster move that will be forthcoming in short order. Toronto will look to extend their winning streak to eight when they host Vegas on Tuesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.
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