No movement on the trade front for Leafs as roster deadline nears
By The Nelson Daily Sports
No news is definitely not good news when you’re a team looking to improve its roster on the eve of the BC Hockey roster deadline.
Leaf coach Dave McLellan said “it’s pretty slow our there.”
“I’ve basically been in contact with every team in the league, but it seems everyone is holding their cards pretty close to their chest,” McLellan told The Nelson Daily prior to practice Thursday.
McLellan said he’s a little upset at the way business is done in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League after seeing what he felt was a done deal fall by the wayside.
The potential deal was with a team outside the Murdoch Division.
“I did a favour for a team on the premise of what I thought would be a deal later in the year, but that fell through,” McLellan lamented.
Junior teams, including those in the KIJHL teams have until Saturday (January 10) to finalize their rosters for the playoff run.
Nelson has a few cards remaining to acquire players.
McLellan was hopeful to land another defenceman and top six forward through deals.
Injuries continue to hamper Leafs
The Nelson Leafs continue to look more like a Mash Unit than a hockey team as the Green and White prepare for a home-and-home series against Spokane Braves beginning Saturday at the NDCC Arena.
Leafs defenceman Patrick Croome remains on the injury list while forward Michael Rand is out with the flu.
McLellan said he is waiting also on status of forward Nolan Percival.
As for forward Dylan Williamson, he gets the cast of his injured hand but won’t play while Blair Andrews is also not expected back until next weekend.
“Hopefully we can use a few Aps (affiliate players) from the Kootenay Ice to help fill out the roster,” he said.
Both goalies on deck for Spokane series
McLellan said both goalies, Adam Maida and Joey Karrer are available to play.
Karrer saw his first action after the Christmas break in Sunday’s loss to 100 Mile House after overcoming a severe bout with the flu.
“I thought Joey played pretty good Sunday considering it was his first game in a long time,” McLellan said.
