Maple Leafs Officially Sign Three Players to Bolster Organizational Depth
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed two new faces to add some AHL depth, while re-signing one of their trade additions from last season with the team announcing the deals on social media.
With the team looking to still add some punch to their top-six, the Maple Leafs are doing the best they can to make sure they have enough pieces to not only make a strong Stanley Cup push, but to save them in case of injuries or struggles.
They already signed Michael Pezzetta, Travis Boyd, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, and Villi Lettieri as they have to replenish the lost bodies who departed in free agency like Nick Abruzzese and Alex Steeves.
Toronto adds much needed depth to the Marlies
But it seems the team isn't done yet, as they announced another trio of signings, including bringing back one familiar face.
On Monday, Toronto signed Marc Johnstone, Ken Appleby, and re-signed Reese Johnson in order to give the Marlies some additional help.
Johnson came over last season in a deal that involved some future considerations, meanwhile Appleby and Johnstone spent time with the Charlotte Checkers and Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins respectively.
Appleby and Johnson end up receiving one-year deals meanwhile Johnstone earns a two-year pact.
Who are Reese Johnson, Marc Johnstone, and Ken Appleby?
It was a solid trio of signings that while does nothing more than add some insurance to the Marlies, knowing how injuries affect teams every year; it's better to be safe than sorry.
Johnson, 26, has skated in 144 games in his NHL career, registering 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) and spent time with Chicago and Minnesota before landing in Toronto.
Johnstone, 29, comes back to the Marlies after spending two seasons with them from 2021-2023. Last season he scored 11 points in 51 games (5 goals, 6 assists) and has only skated in one career NHL game with the Penguins in 2023-24.
Appleby, 30, has been a journeyman in his career, playing with nine different teams between the AHL and ECHL.
Last year though with Charlotte was a very good season, posting a 15-8-1 record with a 1.96 GAA and .910 SV%; he'll be in Matt Murray's old position backing up Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 7 | 2327 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Officially Sign Three Players to Bolster Organizational Depth Do youthiuk any of the signings the Leafs made will make the NHL squad? | ||
| Yes | 1398 | 60.1 % |
| No | 929 | 39.9 % |
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