Leafs Recall Bo Groulx

The Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that they’ve recalled center Benoit-Olivier Groulx from AHL Toronto. He’ll give the Leafs a 13th forward for the stretch run after they iced a bare-minimum roster on offense for the last few days following the departures of Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann on deadline day.

It’s the second NHL stint of the season for Groulx, but the first that could result in any playing time. He was summoned for one day last month to practice with the Leafs as they still had players over at the Winter Olympics. It’s his first “real” recall since signing a two-year deal with Toronto in free agency last summer and will likely lead to his first NHL appearance since April 2024 with the Ducks.

Groulx, 26, has played 54 games in the AHL this season and has been the Marlies’ top producer with 27 goals and 50 points. With a +13 rating in tow, it’s easily the best pro season of his career on both sides of the puck. A second-round pick by Anaheim back in 2018, he stands at 6’2″ and 205 lbs and has always carried some intrigue with his bang-and-crash two-way play.

Groulx did get some runway in Anaheim’s NHL lineup, skating in 65 games in parts of three seasons from 2021-24. He averaged 12 minutes of ice time per game but was never able to make any sort of offensive impact, limited to one goal and four assists. After making a career-high 45 appearances in 2023-24, he was non-tendered and signed a two-way deal with the Rangers in the offseason. He cleared waivers and spent all of last season in the minors before landing with Toronto.