The Toronto Maple Leafs formally confirmed the signing of five players to their AHL club, the Toronto Marlies, on September 11, immediately before training camp.
These acquisitions will provide a combination of seasoned leadership and young talent to the Leafs’ AHL club, but none of them are anticipated to join the NHL squad until an emergency arises.
That said, injuries are always looming and can happen without prior notice, so their AHL performances and the unavailability of some of the players in the Maple Leafs roster for one reason or another could lead them to eventual major league opportunities.
Robert Mastrosimone is just 23 years old and can be considered one of the most interesting signings among this five-man group. After recording 15 points in 25 games with the Marlies last season, he could be on the verge of making the leap to the NHL.
Joseph Blandisi sits at the other end of the age spectrum, already 30 years old and a grizzled veteran forward. Blandisi has been a staple in the Marlies’ lineup for the past three seasons, even serving as an alternate captain last year.
Zach Solow is a young, gritty forward who could still have a breakout campaign and earn a stop as a bottom-line forward in the Maple Leafs roster at some point. He had a solid campaign with the Marlies in 2023, scoring 26 points and racking up 132 penalty minutes over 66 games.
Matteo Pietroniro is another 25-year-old addition, like Solow, but a defenseman who has played in both America and Europe including stints in Finland an Italy.
Finally, Ryan McCleary is the youngest of the crop at just 21 years old. He is another defenseman and he is still trying to find his way toward an NHL roster after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021. He never signed an entry-level deal, however, so the Maple Leafs could be the organization granting him that wish. McCleary spent last season with the Swift Current Broncos, scoring 36 points in 56 games.
