TORONTO — As the regular season ends, the secrecy around team strategies begins.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving recently addressed a large group of reporters at the team`s practice facility.
However, he did not reveal any information about the health of recovering players or the upcoming lineup decisions that head coach Craig Berube will be making.
“We’ll see for Game 1,” Treliving stated.
The Maple Leafs` regular players used Good Friday as a rest day before their final team practice on Saturday, leading up to the Easter Sunday game against the Ottawa Senators.
Ryan Reaves, who was briefly sent to the Marlies for salary cap reasons, rejoined the team after being recalled.
The veteran returned to the AHL for a short period, scoring one goal in three games.
Treliving mentioned the difficult conversation about sending Reaves down, emphasizing that it wasn`t a goodbye and that Reaves remains an important part of the team`s locker room.
He clarified that these moves were necessary due to salary cap guidelines but expressed relief that Reaves remained within the organization.
The restrictions on payroll and roster size are eased for the playoffs, allowing teams to carry extra players.
This opens the door for players like Reaves, Max Pacioretty, and Jani Hakanpää to potentially contribute during the tournament.
These three veterans, along with injured players Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, and David Kämpf, participated in Friday’s skate.
Tristan Blackwood