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Nikita Soshnikov returned to the AHL on a “long-term conditioning loan”
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton / USA TODAY Sports
Cam Lewis
Feb 1, 2018, 15:58 EST
The Leafs have loaned Nikita Soshnikov to the Marlies on a long-term conditioning loan. The winger hasn’t played a game with the Leafs since Nov. 24.
The Leafs still have a full roster issue, but this will help push dealing with that back a few days. Here’s what the Collective Bargaining Agreement says about long-term injury loans:
13.9 Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan.
A Player who is on the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception as set forth in Article 50 may, with his consent, during the term of such Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception (but in no event during the first fourteen (14) calendar days and six (6) NHL Games), be Loaned on a Conditioning Loan (the “Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan”) for a period not to exceed up to the longer of six (6) days and three (3) games, solely for the purpose of determining whether the Player is fit to play. If the Club determines that it needs more time to assess the Player’s fitness to play, the Club may file a written request with the Commissioner’s Office, with a copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for an additional two (2) games. The Commissioner, upon good cause, may approve the one-time extension. The Commissioner’s approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. A Player on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan will continue to be listed on Injured Reserve and will not count against the Club’s 23-man roster limit.
The thing to gain from that is Soshnikov will not count against Toronto’s 23-man roster for a period of six days or three games. That takes them to Feb. 10. So, ultimately, this move just keeps Soshnikov on the regular Injured Reserve a little bit longer.
When Morgan Rielly is ready to play again, Justin Holl, who’s up on an emergency recall, will likely be the one sent back to the AHL. When (if…?) Roman Polak returns from Robidas Island, it’ll be Travis Dermott or Andreas Borgman heading back down. Neither requires waivers. Then when Soshnikov returns, it seems Kasperi Kapanen will be going down to the Marlies.