It’s a minor move that could set the table for something bigger over the next 24ish hours; the Toronto Maple Leafs have sent Colin Greening to the AHL.

In eight games with Toronto since arriving from Ottawa in the Dion Phaneuf trade, Greening has scored a goal and added two assists. Those certainly aren’t eye-popping numbers, but his even strength 62.5 CF% rating tells us he’s consistently pushing the play in the proper direction. 

So why the demotion? There are a couple possible reasons…

Obviously, at this point in the season, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘trade’. It’s possible that Toronto is getting proactive and clearing an NHL roster spot in anticipation of a deal they’ll be making later today or before tomorrow’s trade deadline. This is a particularly exciting scenario since it means the Leafs might actually be bringing in an NHL-quality player. Haha, just kidding!

Another possible reason, and probably the most likely one, is that Toronto wants Colin Greening to be eligible for the AHL playoffs. A reminder from Chris Johnston…

It wouldn’t be farfetched to believe that Greening will actually be recalled and back in the lineup tomorrow evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning.