Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 14th year center Brooks Laich(23) was a late cut from training camp reassigned to affiliate Toronto Marlies to start 2016/2017.
It was his first appearance in the minors since helping Hershey Bears win the 2006 Calder Cup trophy.
The 6’2″ 215 lbs. forward spent 13 seasons with Washington Capitals (11 of those exclusively in the NHL) after being traded as a rookie from draft team Ottawa Senators (2001, 6th round, #193 overall).
It was easily a gut-wrenching decision to move the veteran player who’s name was synonymous with one squad for such a long time compiling three 20+ goals, 30+ assists and twice over 50 point campaigns with a career high 59 mark in 2009/2010.
The 33-year old has only skated 16 AHL games in the current calendar with a goal, 5 assists and a +5 rating but likely sits as a healthy scratch that are easily not performance related.
He’s in the final year of his lucrative 6-year deal signed in 2011.
He did spend some of the lockout year in the NLA with EHC Kloten and it would be little surprise to see him keep going for another couple seasons overseas as he sorts out post-hockey life.