The Marlies get their goalie as Hutchinson clears and the Leafs put four more players on waivers

What a difference a year makes. Last year little thought was given to putting Michael Hutchinson on waivers, and instead some of us were worried what might become of Aaron Dell. Now, knowing the importance of a third string goaltender a bit more, especially in the pandemic era, there was a bit of nervousness about whether or not Hutch would be claimed, and today we are thankful to say he was not.

The Leafs do not need to immediately assign him to the Marlies, so we’ll see if he hangs around the Leafs camp for a few more days, but ultimately he’ll be a Marlie and the Leafs emergency callup option.

Hutchinson was not the only bit of waivers news for the Leafs today as four more players were placed on waivers today…

Brennan Menell, Brett Seney, Joey Anderson, and Carl Dahlstrom have all been sent down, and while all will likely clear there might possibly be some interest in Brennan Menell or Joey Anderson, despite neither making a strong case in Leafs camp.

Menell will have some value as sheltered offensive defenseman, and if a team needs a second unit powerplay quarterback, he could get some interest. Joey Anderson despite having still being regarded as having some potential upside didn’t do much to work his way into the conversation for a NHL job this fall. Perhaps the Devils could be interested in reacquiring a player they know, but it’s hard case to make to try him out on a NHL roster this year.

Seney had a respectable preseason, but he is what he is, and he’ll be a welcome workhorse on the Marlies.

And Dahlstrom, well… even though it was the preseason I get the sense that a lot of Leafs fans made their minds up on him and are excited to not see him in a Leafs uniform again.

With the waivings that leaves Pierre Engvall, Adam Brooks, Alex Biega, Kurtis Gabriel, and Michael Amadio as the next crop of players to be potentially waived, although if the Leafs choose to demote one or both of Liljegren and Semyonov that could a player from the fate of waivers.

Like the case with Hutchinson, if the players clear they do not immediately need to be assigned to the Marlies, so there is the potential for the players to stick with the Leafs for a couple more days, but that seems unlikely Dubas and Keefe are probably wanting to get the roster decluttered as soon as possible. It won’t be surprising to see the remaining bubble players in the bottom part of the lineup on Saturday night so the final decisions can be made.