Why The Maple Leafs Placed Bo Groulx On NHL Waivers

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed center Bo Groulx on waivers after seven appearances with the team this season. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on the transaction.

Groulx, 26, averaged 8:03 of ice time per game under Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller. He didn't see the ice very much and was a scratch most of the time. 

His last game came against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, in which he played for 6:23. Before that, his last appearance was on Oct. 17 against the New York Islanders.

This roster move happens with Dakota Joshua seemingly back in the fold full-time with Toronto. Joshua was out for a lengthy period of time with a core muscle injury, which slowed him down through training camp. But with the 30-year-old back in, he seems to have bumped Groulx out and back down to the minors with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, if he's not claimed.

Joshua made a statement when he made his season debut on Saturday, recording five shots on goal and credited with seven hits, leading the team in both categories in that contest against the Vancouver Canucks.

Groulx was a huge part of the Marlies' core to go on and win the Calder Cup last year. In the regular season, he scored 28 goals and 52 points in 59 American League games. In the post-season, he scored eight goals and 14 points in 23 appearances.

He also played a portion of NHL games with the Leafs last season and was impressive in his stint. Groulx scored three goals and five points in 13 outings for the club.

Groulx's in the final year of his two-year contract worth $812,500 against the salary cap.

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