Maple Leafs place 3 players on waivers, announce roster for Saturday vs. Canadiens

Travis Boyd, Vinni Lettieri, and Benoit-Olivier Groulx were among the 20 players who were placed on waivers today, with all three of them set to report to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies should they clear. The trio were among a group of depth players the Leafs signed to league minimum contracts during free agent frenzy, to provide insurance up front and veteran leadership for the prospects in the AHL.

Boyd is in his second stint with the Leafs after previously playing parts of the 2021 COVID-shortened campaign. He is coming off a season with the Minnesota Wild where he went scoreless in three games. Groulx had spent parts of seven seasons in the Anaheim Ducks’ organization, with the prior year seeing him record two assists in 45 games played. Lettieri played parts of last season with the Boston Bruins, appearing in 26 games with the team and recording five points (three goals and two assists).

Regardless of whether these three clear waivers, these are among the latest roster cuts as the Leafs begin to trim their roster down in preparation for the upcoming regular season.

Preseason Roster vs. Montreal

Speaking of preparations for the forthcoming campaign, Saturday night will mark the Leafs’ fourth of six preseason contests, where they will host the Canadiens.

Judging by the roster released by the Leafs, Max Domi is expected to centre the second line with Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson on his wings as Auston Matthews will be getting the night off for rest. John Tavares will lead the first line alongside Calle Jarnkrok and William Nylander. Jarnkrok ripped a puck in practice and shattered the glass during line rushes, forcing attendants to repair the panel as the session continued for Saturday’s game group.

Nicolas Roy will centre the third line with Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli on the wings, which could be Toronto’s opening night third line as well. Meanwhile the defence is nearly identical to what was used last season, with the lone exception being Matt Benning instead of Simon Benoit, who skated with the team but was in a non-contact jersey at the morning skate. Anthony Stolarz is slated for his first preseason start and will likely play the entire contest.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Canadiens