Rumor: Imminent move for the Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have important decisions to make in the offseason when you mention the cap space and contract extensions, but the team management are having to make a significant choice today. 

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun reports today is the deadline for forward Nikita Soshnikov, who’s currently skating with the farm team, the Marlies in the American Hockey League, to decide if he’ll use his option to return to the KHL if he’s not part of the Leafs roster. 

According to many NHL insiders, Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello might make a roster move, such as a trade, to make room for Soshnikov. The 24-year-old has recorded five goals and 12 points in 14 games with the Marlies. The Russian winger could be an interesting trade bait to lure rival clubs seeking help up front. 

Soshnikov’s agent, Dan Milstein, has mentioned that there’s no expectation his client will go back to Russia to join a KHL team. 

We will have to wait and see what the Leafs and Soshnikov decide to do. We should know by the end of today how this situations works out.