Today the Maple Leafs introduced the two players acquired in a trade for Trevor Moore and two draft picks.
Related
Confirmed: Maple Leafs trade Trevor Moore to LA for Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell
Kyle Dubas said about Kyle Clifford that he doesn’t need to be hidden and that he played some significant minutes in LA. He expects him to play well in a depth role. He mentions more than once the problem of the Leafs playing some players “one or two minutes per night” which is an exaggeration, but not much of one.
Dubas outright says he had no interest in Alec Martinez. He refused to give an update on the Jake Muzzin contract talks, but we might hear more about Morgan Rielly in a week or two as he has a medical evaluation coming up soon.
Dubas did a long speech on the process, his belief in the team and how they are being tested right now.
Asked about Michael Hutchinson, Dubas discusses his play in his starts before last night, but that his relief appearances weren’t good. No one asked who was being sent down to make room for the new players.
Jack Campbell spoke to the press, and did mention that he knew Kyle Dubas even before Dubas traded for him with the Soo Greyhounds.
Jack Campbell: Sorry I'm a little nervous pic.twitter.com/zDMU0Bm3nz
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 6, 2020
Campbell mentions both Dusty Imoo and Bill Ranford with the Kings organization as bringing his career on track.
Kyle Clifford tells the tale we all love of being a childhood Leafs fan. He has nothing but good things to say about the Leafs organization. Asked about his role, he says, “They didn’t bring me in to outpace Auston Matthews in goals.” His son’s favourite player is Jake Muzzin, so the Leafs made someone happy. Clifford has a lot of good things to say about Campbell, says he’s more than just a backup.
Clifford confirms his favourite player growing up was Mats Sundin.
New @MapleLeafs player numbers:
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 6, 2020
Jack Campbell will wear #36
Kyle Clifford will wear #73 #LeafsForever
Campbell will wear his usual number 36, and Clifford will wear 73. That’s interesting because Clifford’s usual number is lucky 13, and now we know why.
Frederik Andersen (neck) getting in some work with goalie coach Steve Briere today
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 6, 2020
It’s an off day for the team so no full practice
Cody Ceci (ankle) “out for a while,” according to Kyle Dubas
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 6, 2020
I wonder if this hit was it. Ceci takes this hit from Greg McKegg and is slow to get up. pic.twitter.com/u61vrJfoav
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 6, 2020
Related
Maple Leafs by the numbers: 36-34
Maple Leafs by the Numbers: #13 Mats Sundin
Maple Leafs by the numbers: The 70s
While that was going on, some other news from this non-practice day:
Andersen doubtful for tomorrow, Dubas says
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 6, 2020
Freddie still on the ice ... just hit the 30-minute mark with Briere pic.twitter.com/vEl4n4giV1
His status for tomorrow’s game is yet to be determined.
Cody Ceci (ankle) “out for a while,” according to Kyle Dubas
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 6, 2020
This may be the moment he was hurt:
I wonder if this hit was it. Ceci takes this hit from Greg McKegg and is slow to get up. pic.twitter.com/u61vrJfoav
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 6, 2020
In order to add the two new players to the roster, one player will need to be removed to get to the 23-man limit, and with Cody Ceci going on IR, that problem is solved. The Marlies play tomorrow, and have a three-in-three this weekend, so they will welcome one of the Leafs extra goalies back. No one was waived today, and Hutchinson is not exempt, so it seems like Kasimir Kaskisuo will get sent back to the AHL, but that’s not confirmed.
With Campbell in for Kaskisuo (assuming that’s the plan) and Clifford in for Moore, the net effect on the salary cap is an increase of $25,000 for the time being. That likely shouldn’t cause too much problem if and when the whole team is healthy. As long as Morgan Rielly is on LTIR, there’s no problems fitting in any 23-man roster.
When we have clarity on roster moves, we’ll update you.