As you probably know, the Toronto Maple Leafs placed former Capital Brooks Laich on waivers at the very beginning of this season. The Leafs then ultimately made the decision to demote him to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
Laich’s career with the Marlies started strange. The team played their first two regular season games and Laich did not play in either. I surmised that he was probably not happy with his demotion and now a few months later we have more evidence to back that up.
Joshua Kloke of The Athletic spoke to Laich at the Marlies practice on Sunday.
“You don’t win a Stanley Cup playing in the American League,” Laich said. “If the Leafs don’t have a plan for me with them then I would like to pursue a Stanley Cup somewhere else.”
“My focus is still in this organization and playing for the Maple Leafs,” Laich continued, declining to comment on whether he has specifically asked the Leafs for a trade. “The decision is up to them, but if they don’t see me in their plans going forward towards the playoffs then I would like the opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup with another organization.”
Laich has one goal and five assists in 22 games this season with the Marlies. Laich missed two months of the season due to an undisclosed injury. Monday night, he played his sixth game since December 17th.
The 33-year-old added that he believes his “best days of hockey are ahead of [him]” and that he has “many, many years left to play”.
Laich is in the last year of a contract that carries a $4.5 million cap hit.
Monday night, Laich promoted a new Facebook page after suiting up for the Marlies and the Athletic’s article was published.
Howdy friends! I just got a @facebook page – check it out here https://t.co/lqk1vLQv1Q! Check it out and let me know what's on your mind!! pic.twitter.com/cMhwpfsjey
— Brooks Laich (@brookslaich) February 21, 2017
12:15pm update: The Leafs have responded to Laich’s request by putting him on waivers again. TSN’s Bob McKenzie was the first to report the news.
TOR puts Brooks Laich on waivers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 21, 2017
BTW, Laich is NOT on unconditional waivers (which permits mutually agreed termination of contract). Regular waivers in this instance.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 21, 2017
2:20pm update: Laich’s agent Roly Thompson tells The Athletic that Laich being put on waivers wasn’t exactly unexpected or disappointing. He called the situation Laich has been in with the Leafs all season “horrible” and acknowledged that it’s unlikely another NHL team claims his full $4.5-million salary off waivers.
“It’s a way for Lou [Lamoriello] to let every team know that he’s available,” Thompson said. “And see what happens.
“I don’t think it’s got anything to do with [trying to punish him for speaking out].”
Headline photo: Christian Bonin
