Maple Leafs to Add Multiple Marlies to NHL Playoff Roster Ahead of Game 5

The Toronto Marlies' season has come and gone with a quick 2-0 series sweep in a best-of-3 series at the hands of the Cleveland Monsters. After finishing the season with a 37-23-4-8 record, which was good for 4th in the North Division, the Marlies couldn't make much noise en route to a Calder Cup.

Several NHL teams currently in the post-season have made recalls in the form of 'Black Aces' ahead of the playoffs and the Toronto Maple Leafs could follow suit with the Marlies elimination being so fresh.

Head coach Craig Berube mentioned that he will be discussing this idea with GM Brad Treliving. The veteran bench boss would like some of the AHL players to train alongside their NHL counterparts and get to see and feel the atmosphere of an NHL playoff game and subsequently a playoff run.

Some of those players could include their top scorer in Alex Steeves, who finished the year with 36 goals and 62 points, as well as a couple of stints with the Maple Leafs that included his first NHL goal. Alex Nylander could also be brought back up as well after he finished second in goals (23) and points (44).

Other players that could be of interest include Nick Abruzzese, Logan Shaw, William Villeneuve, Jacob Quillan, and Topi Niemela. Steeves, Villeneuve, and Niemela all tallied 2 points in their short post-season run and while they wouldn't get any game action for the Leafs, the experience would be invaluable.

The Maple Leafs have already dipped their toes into their AHL roster after recalling goaltender Artur Akhtyamov ahead of the playoffs to serve as their third goaltender. The Marlies were utilizing Matt Murray and Dennis Hildeby, which allowed the Leafs to pluck Akhtyamov for emergency purposes.

While no recalls have been made quite yet, expect some to be on horizon with the Marlies 2024-25 season having come to an abrupt end.