Maple Leafs send defenseman down to the AHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a minor roster move as they assigned defenseman Cole McWard to the Toronto Marlies after a brief call-up.

Things are finally starting to turn around health-wise for the Toronto Maple Leafs after early-season injuries have created quite the chaotic situation. They got Chris Tanev back, John Tavares is working towards a return, and Dakota Joshua just made his season debut after missing the start of the year.

With all those injuries they needed some reinforcements, and they brought up both Dakota Mermis and Cole McWard for blue line help. But with Tanev back in the fold, there's no need to carry that many defenders and Toronto made their choice.

McWard heads back to the Marlies as the Maple Leafs get healthier

McWard was sent back down to the Marlies as Tanev returned, and the 25-year-old did not get a chance to appear in a game since being called up.

He has a total of nine career NHL games with one goal, and was signed as defensive insurance mainly for the Marlies.

McWard has three assists in five games with the Marlies this season, putting up a decent amount of production in limited time; he signed a two-year, $1.75M contract with the team this summer.

Other Marlies may get a chance before McWard does this season

It's unknown if McWard will be another call-up contender this season, as the team also has others like Ben Danford and Vinny Borgesi who could end up getting a look at some point, though McWard does offer at least some brief NHL exposure.

Danford has three assists in 10 games but is a plus-3 and has 10 PIM including a fight so he's not afraid to get it done in all aspects of the game, meanwhile Borgesi has eight points in eight games and ranks third on the Marlies in assists with seven.

If Toronto wants a bit more stability and shutdown potential, Danford makes sense but only if they can clear up the space for his contract - same with Borgesi. Those pesky tagging rules are preventing the Maple Leafs from really seeing their potential, and something needs to be done so they can shine.

But if they do get a chance, then they need to hope that their call-up doesn't come in the same vein as McWard's did. With the chance of playing possible, but it's a highly improbable one historically.

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