Four Maple Leafs Players Immediately Placed on Waivers, Including Michael Pezzetta

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed forward Michael Pezzetta, and defensemen Michael Benning, Dakota Mermis, & Henry Thrun on waivers, according to Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.

Pezzetta, 27, appeared in 25 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, going pointless in that time. The Toronto, ON native has spent his entire four year NHL career in Montreal before signing with the Leafs in the offseason, having played in 200 NHL games.

Benning, 31, is a veteran of 464 NHL games, was acquired by Toronto last season in the trade that sent Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks. He spent last season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, having eight points in 39 games.

Mermis, 31, played in three games for the Leafs last season with an assist, spending most of the season with the Marlies, having seven points in 32 games. Mermis has played in eight NHL seasons. Mermis played one game for Utah after being claimed off waivers, but re-joined Toronto days later after being re-claimed.

Thrun, 24, spent last season with the San Jose Sharks, having two goals and 12 points in 60 games, acquired by Toronto in the offseason in exchange for forward Ryan Reaves.

The move puts the Leafs at their 23 man limit with the ability to have the current absences, Scott Laughton & Joseph Woll, moved back in the roster easily, although that will lead to other moves.

For Woll, the likely move is the release of James Reimer, currently on a PTO, but for the Leafs only buys time to a forward decision needing a move, likely to come once Laughton is healthy, whether that'd be a waiver move or a trade.

Elsewhere, two former Toronto Maple Leafs in Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson were placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings, as well as a former Marlie in Curtis Douglas by the Utah Mammoth.

Tomorrow is the last major day for waivers as rosters are to be finalized on Monday evening, but teams with open spots and salary compliant can still make any waiver claims to add to their roster.