Toronto Maple Leafs announce first five cuts of training camp

Toronto has dwindled down their roster at training camp to 70 as they announced they have assigned Sam McCue, Maxim Muranov, Miroslav Holinka, Marshall Finnie and defenseman Nathan Mayes to their junior squads.

The cuts don't come really as a surprise for many as the players removed were fringe makes at the very best, and need a lot more conditioning in professional hockey before they are able to make the leap; lest they have such a breakout season it's impossible to ignore. The one notable name among them is Marshall Finnie, the player responsible for injuring rookie Ben Danford in a practice scrimmage and although it's not clear that his recklessness caused him to be cut, the Maple Leafs have no need for it and Finnie needs to learn how to better control himself on the ice.

McCue, drafted 216th overall in this year's NHL Entry Draft, is a 6'2 winger who had a solid, if unspectacular year in the OHL for Peterborough and Owen Sound, and will look to help Owen Sounds again this season. Muranov, another 6'2 winger will report back to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, and he'll look to build off a breakout 22-goal campaign. Holinka, along with Finnie are both going to be sent back to the WHL as well, but for the Edmonton Oil Kings. Holinka, a 2024 draft pick was seen as a fringe prospect to possibly make a run to make the team but it's clear he's not ready in their eyes. Finally, Mayes will be sent back to Spokane and the 6'4 defenseman can get some more junior reps under his belt.

None of the players really stood out to me as anyone who could make an impact (especially the carelessness of Finnie) but the future is bright as Toronto, even with these cuts still have 70 players on their training camp roster. It will be interesting to see who else gets the pink slip and heads back to junior, the AHL, or elsewhere.

The Toronto Maple Leafs still have a lot of work to do in regards to their roster being shaped up how they want it come October, but it's clear they have trimmed the fat and decided to sink their teeth into the best of the best still available in camp.