Sheldon Keefe Sheds Light On Why Leafs' Rookie Sits Out For The Second Consecutive Game

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Graham Montgomery
October 23, 2023 (10:09 PM)

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The Leafs are quite limited in terms of what kind of roster they can actually ice due to their cap situation.

Interestingly, rookie forward Fraser Minten will remain a healthy scratch when the Leafs take on the Capitals tomorrow night.

Minten To Miss Consecutive Games

The 19-year-old forward came out of nowhere at training camp, shocking the entire hockey world when he made the Leafs opening night roster.

Since then, the youngster has played in four of the team's five games while averaging just under 11:30 time on ice per game.

He was a healthy scratch for the first time in the Leaf's last game against the Lightning, which the team won 4-3 in overtime.

Keefe explained that he wants the rookie forward to soak in the experience, but not get overwhelmed.

"A good chance for him to step back and take a breath a little bit.... We'll take a day at a time in terms of when he may make it back in, but for now it's about really soaking up the experience and staying ready."

Many fans have speculated that the Leafs will send Minten back to the WHL after playing nine games in the league.

Scratching him here and there is a good way for the team to keep him around the club while delaying their decision.

After he plays 9 games his entry-level contract would officially kick in. Minten is ineligible to play in the AHL due to the CHL-NHL agreement that keeps over-age players in the CHL.

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily:
Leafs rookie to miss second consecutive game; Sheldon Keefe explains why