If you happened to miss last night’s Saturday Headlines segment during CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Sportsnet reporter and NHL insider Nick Kypreos dropped a bomb on Toronto Maple Leafs fans: Josh Leivo wants out.
According to Kypreos, the 24-year-old Leivo has officially requested a trade, citing his frustration with head coach Mike Babcock’s unwillingness to give him regular playing time. Whether or not Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello grants Leivo’s request or not however, remains to be seen.
Leivo has played just 12 games for the Leafs this season, collecting 3 points in the process. He's been a healthy scratch for the team’s other 54 games.
The speedy, right shooting Leivo should be a natural fit in Babcock’s system, but for some inexplicable reason, the youngster just can’t get himself into the lineup. When asked about the trade request, Babcock claimed ignorance.
“As far as Leivs goes, he hasn’t got a lot of opportunity to play, but I’d talk to Lou if I was you about that. I know nothing,” Babcock said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.
There are still three weeks to go until the NHL’s February 26 trade deadline, will Leivo remain with the Leafs past that date? Time will tell.
