Breaking: Leafs make controversial last minute roster swap.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a lost minute roster swap but some of their fans do not appear to be happy with the decision from head coach Mike Babcock.

As many of our readers will already know earlier today Sportsnet's National Hockey League insider Eliotte Friedman revealed that Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner would not suit up this evening for the Maple Leafs. From our earlier report:

Veteran Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner will not play tonight when his Maple Leafs face off against the Arizona Coyotes. Even more concerning for the Leafs however is that according to Friedman this appears to be the result of a linger injury, one that Gardiner has reportedly been dealing with since all the way back in December. 

Gardiner apparently suffered the initial injury around Christmas time and although it initially looked as though he had made a full recovery there has now been what Friedman described as a "flare up." It's going to be enough to keep Gardiner out for at least one game but the real concern now has to be regarding how much time it will take him to fully heal from this seemingly long lasting injury. 

Gardiner has reportedly been suffering back spams as the result of his injured back and back injuries are always an extremely tricky situation.

As one would expect in such a scenario the Maple Leafs have replaced Gardiner in the line up by adding veteran defenseman Matt Marincin to the line up. That news was confirmed moments before puck drop by Leafs reporter Jonas Siegel of The Athletic and it has been met with a rather poor reception. Fans are not happy to see the admittedly unsexy 26 year old defenseman take to the ice tonight when a player like Justin Holl for example remains in the wings with his offensive talents not being utilized by the Leafs.

Of course it needs to be said that Mike Babcock's job at the end of the day is to win games by any means necessary and not necessarily to create an exciting product on the ice for fans of the team. That being said Marincin has not been particularly effective in the 8 games in which he has been used thus far this season, so it will be interesting to see how he plays tonight.

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