Bo Groulx’s stay with the Maple Leafs appears to be over, at least for now.
Toronto placed the winger on waivers Monday after he went seven games this season without a point, and the move came as John Tavares looks to mount a comeback. The next question was whether another team would take a shot on him before he could be sent to the AHL.
That answer came quickly. According to Elliotte Friedman, Groulx has cleared waivers, which means he is headed to the Toronto Marlies in short order.
It was the outcome many around the team expected. Groulx has not done enough to establish himself as a regular NHL forward, and there was little reason to think another club would claim him just to use him as a short-term stopgap. Any team that took him would have needed to fit him onto its NHL roster first, and there simply were no clubs with the room to do that.
The bigger question now is what comes next for the 26-year-old. He is not getting the kind of NHL run he likely wanted, and the clock is ticking on his chance to prove he belongs in the top league in the world.
That also raises the possibility that Toronto may not be the right fit. The Leafs’ roster is in strong shape, especially up front, and that leaves Groulx with very few openings to work his way into the lineup.
It’s a familiar kind of squeeze for prospects around this organization. Marshall Rifai has faced the same challenge in trying to crack the roster.
Over the next few weeks and months, Groulx’s place in the franchise should become a lot clearer.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Suddenly Have A Real Kucherov Question To Answer
A projected jump in the NHL salary cap is already changing the way front offices are thinking about the next few summers, and Toronto is no exception. Elliotte Friedman has said the cap is expected to climb to $127.5 million in 2028-29, a development that could give the Maple Leafs more room to chase a star-caliber addition if the market breaks their way.
Nikita Kucherov is suddenly part of that conversation after requesting a trade from Tampa Bay, with the possibility that he eventually reaches free agency hanging over the situation. For Toronto, the intrigue is obvious, but so is the catch: any serious run at a player of that magnitude will depend on how the club handles its own major contract business in the years ahead, and those decisions are already lining up fast. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Linked To A Low-Risk Forward Fit That Could Divide Fans
A familiar waiver name surfaced this week when Columbus made Danton Heinen available, and it is the kind of low-cost, low-commitment forward move that always gets attention around Toronto. Heinen brings plenty of NHL mileage, a modest cap hit and the sort of versatility that can appeal to teams looking for depth without changing the shape of the roster.
For the Maple Leafs, the appeal is obvious enough to understand why they were mentioned, even if the fit is not cut-and-dried. Toronto already has several bottom-six forwards it feels good about, which is why a claim would likely spark some debate among fans who want the team to add only if the upgrade is clear, not just available. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Growing Problem Ahead Of Montreal
The Maple Leafs are still tinkering with their forward mix as they prepare to face Montreal, with Jack Roslovic taking a maintenance day and Vinni Lettieri stepping into a prominent role in practice. It is the kind of midweek adjustment that can look minor on the surface, but Toronto is clearly trying to find a little more stability and pace as it heads into a matchup that can expose any cracks in its structure.
Jim Hiller has been pressing the same broader point: the Leafs need more time in the offensive zone so they are not spending shifts under constant defensive stress. The players have echoed the importance of communication and trust in the system, while John Tavares continues to move in the right direction in his recovery and will be evaluated before any return is considered. [Read more 🡒]