Nikita Soshnikov's call-up 'more than just a contract clause'

The Nikita Soshnikov conundrum is in full effect, and the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves "at a crossroads" argues a Toronto radio personality. 

Last week Pierre LeBrun reported that the 24-year-old Russian forward had a clause in his contract that stipulated if the winger hadn't been recalled to the Leafs by Nov. 14, he would have the right to leave the organization and return to the KHL. Since then, questions have lingered over how the Leafs would handle the situation, reported The Athletic. 

The Leafs had been using Frederik "The Goat" Gauthier as their spare forward in order to provide additional centre depth while Auston Matthews was out.

On Tuesday, the Leafs "solved" the Soshnikov problem when they loaned Gauthier to the Marlies and recalled Soshnikov. 

Now they must choose between letting him bolt to Russia or playing him in a spot that could likely be more deserving to a veteran in a cluttered Leafs top-end lineup.

His agent came out recently and said they weren't fielding any calls fro Russian teams. 

However, TSN 1050's Bryan Hayes said "I get the impression that if Lou and co. didn't call him up, this guy would be halfway to Moscow right now. Because that's why he's up. I don't think he's gonna play. They sent the Goat down and the Goat didn't even get a sniff. When Matthews comes back... that probably means [Josh] Leivo's coming out. But if Leivo's coming out you're dealing with a cap issue...Someone's going down"

As Hayes alluded to, the other variable is perennial AHL-NHL floater Josh Leivo, who would go on waivers if he's sent down. In effect, the Leafs have a tough decision on their hands. 

'Something has to happen here," said Hayes.

"But here's the question. Is Soshnikov worth losing Leivo?" asked former NHL goaltender Jamie MacLennan. "I say no." 

MacLennan said the Leafs are "at a crossroads" with Soshnikov.

"I believe that there are players within the organization that have leapfrogged him on the depth chart...I think Soshnokov is an energy guy, he's got a good shot, but he's never gonna play higher in your lineup. I don't see him playing ever on a third line and they've got ample fourth line players. Thats what depth does for you. Josh Leivo's having a tough time getting in the lineup. Dominic Moore. Eric Fehr. It's awful, and I'm sure he's a good guy and he works hard... But that's the beauty of having depth."

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