According to James “Battle of California” Mirtle, the Toronto Maple Leafs have assigned Brooks Laich to the Toronto Marlies for the start of the 2016-17 season.
After arriving in Toronto last spring with Connor Carrick from the Washington Capitals, Laich played out the string with the Leafs, putting up 7 points (1G, 6A) in 21 games with the team.
Talk around camp was Laich would be kept around to be a veteran presence on the team, help the young kids out throughout the season and be a 13/14 forward in the press box. It seems however, that role has been given to the unsigned Brandon Prust:
Brandon Prust: "Babs told me to kind of act like I'm part of the team"
Skated with main group today, had locker in room— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 11, 2016Prust gave Marner pointers on how to protect himself the other day; Brandon smiles, "If I want some stick handling tips I'll go to Mitch"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 11, 2016Now what will Laich do?