The Maple Leafs just waived Michael Pezzetta exactly one day after the season ends sends an intense message
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto waived Michael Pezzetta as the changes are already kicking off and last year's first free agent signing ended up the first cut only a year later.
Last year, it came as a bit of a shock that the first signing that the Toronto Maple Leafs made in free agency was to sign depth forward Michael Pezzetta. Not only was he a former Canadiens player making the jump, but a hometown kid who got to live out his childhood dream.
Pezzetta, 28, had zero points in only nine games and finished with a minus-four rating. He also added 35 PIM and 30 hits, so it's clear he had one role for Craig Berube.
But he barely played for the team and only really got a call when the season was long over. Even when he was brought up to add physicality he hardly found a spot and he became the first casualty of the roster changes:
The team announced Pezzetta had been placed on waivers with teams having 24 hours to claim the veteran forward before he is sent to the AHL or potentially have his contract terminated.
Exactly why dumping Michael Pezzetta onto waivers today sets a ruthless tone for the summer
It's a move that the Maple Leafs kind of needed to make. Nothing against Pezzetta but he doesn't really fit a role with the team. There's a dozen other bottom-six depth forwards who offer more offensive and defensive potential. It's not just enough to hit and punch anymore.
But it also shows that the hometown effect and 'feel-good' stories may be a thing of the past.
A big reason why Toronto targeted Pezzetta was because he was a hometown face who could add some grit by repping his childhood team; it worked for Steven Lorentz last year.
Much like Lorentz this year though, it seemingly doesn't matter where you're from but what you do on the ice. Toronto also can't seem to shake the notion they are the retirement home for aging players — and dumping any dead weight may signal they're tired of it.
How this immediate transaction perfectly guarantees an aggressive new standard for the players
It seems like if you don't pull your weight then the only things you're doing is bringing everyone else down, and while Pezzetta didn't get really a chance to do much, he didn't do much with that time.
Call it bad coaching, a bad signing, or just bad luck but Pezzetta being a casualty of this new upcoming regime is just indicative of how bad this season really was.
Craig Berube couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag, Brad Treliving made bad decision after bad decision and injuries and poor performances held Toronto down — Pezzetta was doomed to fail.
Though it should send a warning shot to the other players, especially ones who feel like they may be a little too comfortable with their spot. If you cost money but aren't producing value equal or above that price tag; you're not good enough.
If your name is Max Domi, Brandon Carlo, or Simon Benoit I wouldn't exactly get comfortable in Toronto this summer.
Changes are coming, and Michael Pezzetta is the first domino to fall.
More details to come.
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