TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Sunday afternoon that they’ll be cutting down their initial Phase 3 roster to make way for the Leafs Phase 4 roster.
In Phase 3, teams are allowed a maximum of 30 players, including an unlimited supply of goalies. Only players that are eligible for the 2020 playoffs are permitted to attend. In Phase 3, players are allowed to stay in their home city to practice and train. Players must be tested before training.
In Phase 4, things change. One’s roster can only include a maximum of 31 players, including goalies. Additionally, each team will be permitted a maximum of 52 people inside the secure zone, including ownership, players, coaches, executives and staff. These players will be sequestered into their protected areas in their hub city (in the Maple Leafs’ case, Toronto).
A look at the NHL's "secure zone" in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/MB1yP1opPb
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 24, 2020
CUT AND PASTE
| Phase 3 | Phase 4 |
| Timothy Liljegren (D) | Timothy Liljegren (D) |
| Pierre Engvall (F) | Pierre Engvall (F) |
| Nic Petan (F) | Nic Petan (F) |
| Rasmus Sandin (D) | Rasmus Sandin (D) |
| Joseph Woll (G) | Joseph Woll (G) |
| Kasimir Kaskisuo (G) | Kasimir Kaskisuo (G) |
| Denis Malgin (F) | |
| Calle Rosen (D) | |
| Kenny Agostino (F) | |
| Tyler Gaudet (F) | |
| Teemu Kivihalme (D) | |
| Martin Marincin (D) | |
| Adam Brooks (F) | |
| Mac Hollowell (D)* |
*Mac Hollowell would later be replaced by Nic Petan.
The Toronto Maple Leafs availed both Marlies goalies through Phase 3 and Phase 4. This comes despite the change from having unlimited goalies in Phase 3 and only allowed to have 31 skaters max in Phase 4.
One of the players slashed in the Phase 4 cut was Teemu Kivihalme. The Finnish native appeared in 55 games with the Marlies and has yet to make his NHL debut. Though he did not make the cut, Kivihalme was offered (and accepted) a two-year, two-way contract, starting next season with an AVV of $725,000.
Another big name not to make the cut was Martin Marincin, who appeared in five games as a Marlie and 26 with the Maple Leafs. Marincin scored one lone assist with the Baby Buds and had a plus-six rating. The 28-year-old recently signed a contract extension in January, booting him through the 2020-21 season.
DEFENSIVELY DEFENSIVE!
Defensemen Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren will both make the Phase 4 roster. Liljegren appeared in 11 games with the Maple Leafs in the 2019-20 season and played another 40 with the Marlies. The 21-year-old Swedish native recorded 30 points in the AHL (five goals, 25 assists), and another 18 penalty minutes. Meanwhile, Sandin had a mixed season on all parts, essentially splitting his time between AHL and NHL. Logging 21 games with the Marlies and 28 with the Maple Leafs, Sandin has a combined 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) and a minus-nine rating.
Both players have yet to make their NHL playoff debut.
WHAT’S COOL ON TWITTER
Almost missed this from the NHL's hub city plan: They have Pickleball courts inside the Toronto hub.
All I know is that those who play Pickleball, LOVE Pickleball.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 24, 2020
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