Frank Corrado finishes conditioning stint, returns to Leafs

After nearly a month of waiting, Leafs fans might finally get a glance at Frank Corrado in the big club’s blue and white. Upon the completion of his 14-day conditioning stint, the 22-year-old defenceman has been called up by the Maple Leafs this morning.

Corrado’s conditioning stint was a bit of an unconventional one, in the sense that it didn’t come as a result of injury. Rather, the native of Vaughan was lagging behind in actual games played, having played just three preseason games with the Vancouver Canucks before being placed on waivers.

Corrado was claimed on October 6th and assigned to the Marlies on October 22nd.

In his time with the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, Corrado played in seven games and had three assists, seven shots, and a +3 rating. He also took a single penalty, a Hoding the Stick infraction against the Grand Rapids Griffins on October 30th. All three of Corrado’s points came at even strength, including a primary assist on Mark Arcobello’s 3-on-3 overtime winner against Albany on Sunday.

Corrado spent the final four games of his stint playing on a pair with offensive juggernaut TJ Brennan. Prior to that, he spent two games with Stuart Percy and debuted with rookie Rinat Valiev. CHLStats estimates that Corrado played 19 minutes per game.

Visually, Corrado initially appeared to be missing the step that made him a brand-name prospect in Vancouver. As the stint progressed, however, he regained that agility, and was trusted to be the recovery man in the event that an offensive opportunity by Brennan backfired. 

The Leafs are now in an interesting situation, once again stuck with an overflowing roster and little room for Corrado to draw in. Scott Harrington is the only waiver-exempt member of the defensive group, and while he’s struggled at times, he’s rebounded with two relatively solid games against Montreal and Arizona. That might not be enough to keep him from being the odd man out though I imagine Toronto’s efforts to move Roman Polak will become more aggressive in the coming days.

Corrado could draw into the Leafs lineup as soon as tomorrow, when Toronto take on the Detroit Red Wings.