The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to move Jared Cowen before the end of today’s trade deadline, as first reported out by Sportsnet’s Damien Cox.
Jared Cowen has been told by the Leafs he should expect to be traded today.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) February 29, 2016
The 6-foot-5-inch, 230-pound defenseman was part of the multi-player trade that sent Dion Phaneuf and others to Ottawa on Feb. 9. Cowen was placed on waivers on Friday in anticipation of being moved. The left-handed defenseman played 37 games with the Senators and had four assists and was a plus-7 before being shipped to the Leafs. Cowen has yet to play a game for Toronto and it looks like he won’t if management has its way.
Cowen has a salary cap-hit of $2.15 million for both this and the 2016-17 season according to our friends at CapFriendly. He’ll become a restricted free agent at the end of that season. This move will help Toronto clear out some more cap space in order for a run at any big-name free agents.
Toronto also called up prospects William Nylander, Zach Hyman, Nikita Soshnikov, Kasperi Kapanen and Ben Smith earlier today.
Leafs have recalled William Nylander, as reported on Saturday Headlines.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) February 29, 2016
Along with Nylander, the Leafs have recalled Zach Hyman, Nikita Soshnikov, Kasperi Kapanen and Ben Smith.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) February 29, 2016
It will be interesting to see how the Leafs juggle the recent call-ups with the Toronto Marlies in the midst of the American Hockey League playoff race.
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