Marner, Rantanen UFA Status The Toronto Maple Leafs announced they have recalled forward and AHL goal leader Alex Steeves from the Toronto Marlies. Steeves has 29 goals and 46 points in 40 games for the Marlies this season, placing him tops in the league in goals and third in points. The 25-year-old has recorded five shots on goal and no points in four games for the Maple Leafs this season. He has one assist in 11 career NHL games, all with Toronto. The Bedford, NH., native became the Marlies all-time leading goal and point scorer this season [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/latest-news/alex-steeves-sets-toronto-marlies-franchise-goal-record]. He has 98 goals and 102 assists in 228 career AHL games. The Maple Leafs next game comes Feb. 22 against the Carolina Hurricanes. There is no guarantee Steeves will appear in the contest but he has earned another shot given his AHL performance. With Auston Matthews nursing an upper-body injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-misses-final-usa-preliminary-game-of-4-nations-face-off-with-reported-upper-body-soreness] Steeves could be serving as an insurance policy if the injury persists. The Leafs are set to return to practice today [https://x.com/nickbarden/status/1891880580909875550]. Steeves originally joined the Maple Leafs on an entry level deal in 2021 after three years at the University of Notre Dame. He signed a one-year deal in August and will be a free agent at season's end. Keep an eye on The Hockey News Toronto for more roster updates [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/]. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
