Maple Leafs Place Forward On Waivers

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Ryan Dzingel on waivers. 

The Leafs just acquired Dzingel and Ilya Lyubushkin on Saturday night from the Arizona Coyotes for Nick Ritchie and either a 2023 third-round pick or 2025 second-round pick (Arizona's choice). They just sent Rasmus Sandin to the AHL to become cap compliant, but this development regarding Dzingel, it should open the door for the latter to return to the NHL roster shortly.

In 26 games this season with the Coyotes, Dzingel had four goals, three assists, and a minus-3 rating. Although it's been a bit of a down year for him offensively, there still could be some interest in him. He only carries a $1.1 million cap hit for the remainder of the season and did have 29 points in 64 games with the Carolina Hurricanes just two seasons ago. 

With the Coyotes having a 12-33-4 record and the second least points in the entire league, they have a good chance to bring the 29-year-old back - if they want to, of course. That would change the dynamic of the trade a bit, but at the end of the day, the Leafs' primary objectives were to get rid of Ritchie's contract and get a right-handed defenseman. 

If the Coyotes decide to pass on him, it wouldn't be surprising to see another club give Dzingel a shot. When on his game, he can be a very serviceable third-liner. 

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