The Maple Leafs have brought up some extra depth on the back end before their game tonight against Anaheim as the team announced (Twitter link) that blueliner Maxime Lajoie has been recalled from AHL Toronto.
The 26-year-old has been shuffled back and forth twice already this month although it didn’t result in any playing time. Lajoie did play four games with the Maple Leafs earlier this season, getting held off the scoresheet while averaging just 9:32 per game. However, he has been productive in the minors with the Marlies, recording 17 points in 31 appearances so far. With 74 career NHL contests under his belt, Lajoie has been in the recallable depth role for the past few years now.
Toronto had a full 23-player roster before making this recall so there’s a corresponding roster move that hasn’t officially been announced yet. Speculatively, that could be blueliner Mark Giordano landing on the non-roster list following the death of his father; Lajoie would then need to be sent back down upon Giordano’s return to the team. While Morgan Rielly remains out as he continues to serve his suspension, the Maple Leafs don’t get an extra roster spot while he’s out of the lineup.
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