Maple Leafs: GM in no rush to move with disgruntled Leivo in limbo
While Maple Leafs forward Josh Leivo did his best to not rock the boat while simultaneously asking for either playing time or a trade, GM Lou Lamoriello said his roster decisions will not be swayed by any player’s demands.
“These are things I don’t even pay attention to, so I don’t have any comment about anything,” said Lamoriello. “When it comes to player contracts, when it comes to player transactions, when it comes to trades, when it comes to anything, I don’t get into the conversation.
“Every player has a right to do whatever they feel. I haven’t seen anything public from Josh, but that’s everybody’s prerogative, to say what they feel or say what they believe. It doesn’t affect me in what I’m going to do or what has to be done.
“Everything that’s done has to be in the best interests of the team.”
The NHL trade deadline is three weeks away and Leivo, who signed a contract extension for the 2018-19 season in November — is a chip Lamoriello could play. He’s a wellregarded winger, but with limited playing time to his credit — just a goal and two assists in 12 games this season — and it’s hard to see what the return could be.
But Leivo is clearly frustrated that he can’t get into the Leafs lineup on a regular basis, repeating over and over again that he “just wants to play.”
“I just want to play hockey,” said Leivo. “I do want to play for the Maple Leafs. That’s why I signed for another year. At the same time, I just want to play . . . Two years, 20 games is not enough. Hopefully I can get in with the team and help them win, but I just want to play.”
Leivo pointed out he’s been a Leaf for five years: “I’ve enjoyed the journey the whole way. We’ve had tough years and great years. It’s been a great experience, and I want to continue to be here, but I want to play.”
Leivo is the third Leaf under the Mike Babcock regime to become frustrated by a lack of playing time. Defenceman Frankie Corrado and forward Peter Holland each found themselves as frequent healthy scratches under Babcock. Both asked to be moved and both were.
Neither has made much of an impact in a new environment.
Corrado has played seven games in just under a calendar year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, having been traded there for Eric Fehr. Corrado has mostly played in AHL ScrantonWilkes-Barre.
The Leafs traded Holland to Arizona a little over a year ago. He subsequently played for Montreal’s farm team and now has skated in eight games with the New York Rangers.
There’s talk that Nikita Soshnikov — currently with the Marlies on a conditioning stint — is just as disgruntled as Leivo. Injuries have stunted his progress with the Leafs. The same can’t be said of Leivo, frequently the first on the ice and last off at practice.
Leivo said he would turn down any offer to go the Marlies for playing time.
“I don’t think I would (go). I think I’ve played enough games in the AHL. I want to play in the NHL now,” said Leivo. “I just have to keep working hard and wait for my opportunity.
“We have a good team here, a good group of guys. They help you along, help you get through it. At home, there’s friends and family that keep you positive and keep you going. At the same time, you want to play.”
“We know we’re deep. It’s a tough lineup to crack. Just have to keep working.”
The Leafs showed faith in Leivo by protecting him in last June’s expansion draft — they lost Brendan Leipsic to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“We’ve had a good relationship,” Leivo said. “Hopefully this works out right.”