Leafs terminate contract of 22-year-old defender, freeing up contract slot; another move coming?
This afternoon, it was announced that the Leafs have placed defenseman Axel Rindell on unconditional waivers for the purposes of contract termination. Rindell, 22, had played 6 games for the Marlies before was sent down to the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers where he has played in five games. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL draft, this was his first season in North America and things have clearly not worked out for him thus far.
Rindell signed a 2-year entry-level contract in April of this year with the Leafs hoping that having the player in their system and developing with their development team, would push him further along than having him play in the Liiga (Finnish Elite League). The Leafs have been sitting at the maximum 50 player contracts the entire season, but the termination of Rindell's contract will put them below that number. Could that mean another move is coming?
Kyle Dubas could look to the trade market with that open contract slot, but he could also keep it open to sign highly-touted NCAA prospect Matthew Knies when his season finishes at the University of Minnesota. The Leafs tried to sign him last season, but Knies decided another season at University would be better for him and his development as he would be playing top-line minutes.
Previously on Maple Leafs Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 183 ANSWERS Leafs terminate contract of 22-year-old defender, freeing up contract slot; another move coming? Are you surprised that the Leafs and Rindell are terminating his contract? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 14.2 % |
| No | 67 | 36.6 % |
| Who? | 90 | 49.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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