Toronto Maple Leafs’ Roster Moves & Schedule Changes: Amirov & More

With the Maple Leafs, he moves to a lineup where he’ll obviously assume the role of a leader but not formally. Instead, he’ll fill in as a role player – playing up and down the lineup as his new head coach Sheldon Keefe desires.

The Maple Leafs have as good a chance this season as they’ve had since 1967 to take a run at the Stanley Cup. They are going all in, and Foligno looks to become a big part of the team moving toward that goal. Furthermore, he chose to come – he noted that, in his heart, it felt right.

Item Two: The NHL Announces Schedule Changes for Teams in the North Division

On Friday, the NHL announced a number of schedule changes to the 2020-21 season for teams in the North Division. Specifically, as it pertains to the Maple Leafs’ immediate future, the team will face the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday at 7:00 p.m Toronto time. That game was supposed to be played on Saturday. The Maple Leafs will play the Canucks again on Tuesday, April 20.

Item Three: William Nylander Has Been Removed from the NHL’s COVID List

In good news for the team, William Nylander tested negative again and was removed from the NHL’s COVID protocol-related absence list on Friday. When he returns to the lineup is up to Nylander himself, and coach Keefe noted that it depends upon Nylander’s self-decided conditioning and fitness levels. Nylander hasn’t played in almost two weeks (since April 5).

Although Nylander never tested positive, he was added to the COVID protocol list as a precaution after he was exposed and had close contact to a possible positive case outside the team’s bubble. As noted earlier, the Maple Leafs play the Canucks on Sunday but it’s not clear if Nylander will be able to return. 

Given the 24-year-old Nylander’s physical conditioning and noted work ethic, it shouldn’t take him too long to return to game shape after just more than a week. I can’t imagine he didn’t work out during the time he was away from his teammates. Nylander is having a solid season, scoring 30 points in 39 games.

Item Four: Scott Sabourin Moved from the Active Roster

It wasn’t as if Scott Sabourin didn’t (literally) fight hard for a more regular role on the Maple Leafs roster. He played in Tuesday’s game when Jason Spezza was given a game off, but when Spezza returned on Thursday Sabourin sat. The question is whether he’ll play again when the new Maple Leafs’ players hit the ice.

Item Five: Rasmus Sandin Moved Up to the Taxi Squad

On Thursday, the Maple Leafs moved Rasmus Sandin to the team’s taxi squad. He didn’t play on Thursday, but there’s a chance he might play on Sunday. What the move does mean is that Sandin’s broken foot (suffered on Feb. 25) is probably healed. Watch for him to be activated on Sunday. If he is, there’s a chance he might play.

Item Six: Adam Brooks Played in Auston Matthews’ Place on Thursday

Because Auston Matthews couldn’t play on Thursday, Adam Brooks played in his place and skated in the team’s bottom six. We’re not yet sure what Matthews’ status is for this weekend, but initial word was that the injury he suffered in the Calgary Flames’ game on Tuesday won’t keep him out for long.

Item Seven: Prospect Rodion Amirov Signs His First Maple Leafs’ Contract

On Thursday, Rodion Amirov signed an entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs that starts in the 2021-22 season and calls for him to receive $925,000 per season at the NHL level and $80,000 if he plays at a lower level.

From what I’ve read, the Maple Leafs are expected to again loan the 19-year-old prospect to a KHL team for the 2021-22 season, but will give him a chance to make the team in 2022-23. Amirov was the Maple Leafs’ first-round (15^th overall pick) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Item Eight: Frederik Andersen Makes Rare On-Ice Appearance

On Thursday morning prior to the Maple Leafs’ morning skate, Frederik Andersen was seen on the ice working with goalie coach Steve Briere. Obviously, that means he’s healing, but there remains no update on when he might return to the active roster. Given the length of time the 31-year-old goalie’s been away from the ice, he’ll likely need more than a few practices before he returns to game action – if that’s even a plan within the Maple Leafs’ organization.

Item Nine: Antti Suomela Moves to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies

Earlier in the week, newly-acquired Antti Suomela was moved to the team’s AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies. Suomela is required to quarantine for seven days when he arrives in Canada from the San Jose Sharks after the trade at the deadline. Moving him now to the minors saves space on the team’s taxi squad and active roster as he takes care of his quarantine requirement.