The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Alex Steeves on waivers, making him the second player—along with Nick Abruzzese—to be cut as the team reduces its roster before the regular season begins on October 9 in Montreal.
Following their practice on Friday, the team announced Steeves would be sent down to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The 24-year-old forward recorded one goal in two pre-season games with the Maple Leafs and was one of 15 players released from training camp ahead of Saturday’s final pre-season matchup against the Detroit Red Wings.
Other players cut include Nikita Grebenkin, Alex Nylander, Jacob Quillan, Marlies captain Logan Shaw, Joseph Blandisi, Cedric Pare, Roni Hirvonen, Ryan Tverberg, Mikko Kokkonen, Nicolas Mattinen, Topi Niemela, Matteo Pietroniro, Cade Webber, and Artur Akhtyamov.
Grebenkin, who was a standout during camp and a favorite among fans, received praise from head coach Craig Berube for his character and potential in the league. Meanwhile, Easton Cowan was absent from practice but has not been cut from the roster.
The players released will be part of the Marlies’ training camp roster as they prepare for their season opener against the San Diego Gulls on October 12. The Marlies are also set to play two pre-season games at the CAA Centre in Belleville, facing off against the Laval Rocket and the Belleville Senators on October 5 and 6, respectively.
