New Maple Leafs Forward Made a Healthy Scratch Just 13 Games Into His Tenure in Toronto
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have opted to make a newly-acquired forward a healthy scratch on Monday, banishing him to the press box just 13 games into the season.
After getting back into the win column on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Maple Leafs took Sunday off to travel home and get some rest ahead of the start of a 4-game homestand, which kicks off tonight against the red hot Penguins.
Leafs head coach shook up the lines a little bit at practice on Monday morning, bumping Easton Cowan up into the top-six, and at first, it appeared as though Bobby McMann was the odd man out after skating as an extra during the session.
Maccelli Banished to the Press Box
He lived up to his word, albeit at the peril of the newly-acquired Matias Maccelli, who was sent to the press box for the first time this season instead.Maccelli had skated alongside Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua during practice, so that’s where McMann likely slots in. We’ll see how long he stays there, as Berube has been known to shake up his line combinations throughout games.
Maccelli Underperforming Early
It’s interesting to note that Maccelli was not pleased when he was made a healthy scratch in Utah last season, so this press box assignment may not sit too well with the 24-year-old.
It was reported last month that Maccelli’s scratches last season were not due to poor performance, but rather because of his trade request. This scratch, however, is definitely performance related, as Maccelli has underdelivered with just 5 points through 12 games, despite receiving ample time in the top six with stars like Auston Matthews, John Tavares and William Nylander.
Previously on Maple Leafs Daily
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New Maple Leafs Forward Made a Healthy Scratch Just 13 Games Into His Tenure in Toronto
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