Michael Pezzetta recall over top prospects confirms the Maple Leafs' shift to 'tank' mode
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
After eight straight losses, the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled AHL grinder forward Michael Pezzetta from the American Hockey League.
Michael Pezzetta has been recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies and is on his way up to join the Leafs roster ahead of tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Pezzetta, 27, was signed in the offseason by Toronto to a two-way contract after spending four seasons with the rival Montreal Canadiens.
Having played solely in the AHL this season for the Marlies, Pezzetta has four goals, six assists, & 10 points this season, along with 52 penalty minutes, and the PIM are what is key for his role.
Michael Pezzetta over Luke Haymes shows where Leafs are at
The Toronto Maple Leafs call up a physical presence in Michael Pezzetta as a veteran option who will add some grit to Toronto's bottom-six.
The timing of Pezzetta's call-up come as the Leafs have lost eight games in a row, and have had nothing gone right in this stretch of games.
What is notable is that the Leafs have recalled Pezzetta during a losing streak rather than other names that have been talked about more, including rookie Luke Haymes or veteran Travis Boyd.
Pezzetta adds strength to the Leafs roster, an unexpected call up but Pezzetta, one of the most dominant hitters in the NHL over the past few years, adds a bruiser player to the Leafs forward group, one that has been playing too timid over the last few games.
The addition of Michael Pezzetta is one that would have some saying "the tank is on" in Toronto, but the Leafs do need a bit more beef in the lineup, and may need aggressive to break the losing streak.
Evidently, Pezzetta is not recalled as an offensive minded move, as was the case with calling up Marlies leading scorer Bo Groulx earlier this week, Pezzetta adds a toughness lacking in the big club as of recent.
The Leafs with 17 games left have nothing to play for
The Toronto Maple Leafs have stopped playing like a playoff team, and Michael Pezzetta's call-up says that it's over for Toronto.
Toronto appears poised to focus on being a team battling for a top pick than one hoping a surprise playoff push can come, and those eight straight losses may have had some impact in the Leafs shift.
Having traded Bobby McMann, Nicolas Roy, & Scott Laughton, the Leafs have already accepted their fate and are focused on getting the remaining games out of the way.
The Leafs are last in the Atlantic Division with a 27-27-11 record and 65 points, now 11 games back of Columbus for the final wild card spot.
Calling up Michael Pezzetta doesn't scream playoff fight, it gives the Leafs accepting they're likely out of the NHL playoff race.
Toronto's end of season focus should be on youth
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are committed to letting the end of the season, it would be wiser to use it as a test for their young talent.
Toronto has already brought up youngster Jacob Quillan from the Marlies, but he's not the only youngster in the minors with potential.
Luke Haymes, who was signed as a collegiate free agent last season, hasn't played a game yet for the Leafs. Nor has defenseman William Villeneuve, now on his fourth season.
Haymes, 22, has 15 goals, 11 assists, & 26 points in 54 games played in his first full AHL season since being added to the Marlies out of NCAA Dartmouth.
With the Leafs struggles, does recalling Dennis Hildeby or Artur Akhtyamov make sense for Toronto? Or do they not want to touch the Marlies too much, with the farm team actually in a playoff race?
This is the challenge for the Leafs, with the team out of it but the Marlies still fighting, what path is most beneficial for the youth? It could be why it's a replaceable body such as Pezzetta in rather than Haymes.
Both the Leafs and Marlies seasons are ending, in two different directions, but now is the perfect time to give some underlooked rookies one major NHL test with minimal pressure.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
'I'm still going to be here': McMann's heartfelt goodbye to teammates becomes the ultimate pitch for the Leafs
'I'm still going to be here': McMann's heartfelt goodbye to teammates becomes the ultimate pitch for the Leafs
| POLL | ||
MARS 12|845 ANSWERS Michael Pezzetta recall over top prospects confirms the Maple Leafs' shift to 'tank' mode Should the Leafs keep Michael Pezzetta on the roster? | ||
| Yes | 685 | 81.1 % |
| No | 160 | 18.9 % |
| List of polls | ||