Leivo wants to stick with Leafs but needs more playing time
Josh Leivo wants to play hockey, plain and simple.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward has served largely as a healthy scratch this season - dressing in just 12 games - and hasn't seen game action since Dec. 31. Subsequently, he's reportedly requested a trade, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos said Saturday during Hockey Night in Canada's "Headlines" segment.
Following the team's morning skate on Monday, Leivo told reporters he would prefer to stay with the Maple Leafs, but he wants to play.
"I just want to play hockey," he said, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel. "I do want to play for the Maple Leafs. That's why I signed another year. But at the same time, I just want to play."
"Twenty games in two years is not enough," he added.
But while Leivo hopes to play regularly, he's been firm in saying he won't consider a conditioning stint in the AHL.
"I've played enough in the AHL; I want to play in the NHL now," he said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.
Leivo's agent, Ian Pulver, spoke to Siegel on Sunday, but wouldn't confirm the Kypreos report. However, he noted the 24-year-old is hungry to return to the lineup regularly.
"Josh is a player who would stand in front of a train for the Toronto Maple Leafs," Pulver said. "Josh was drafted by the Leafs and he wants to be a longtime Leaf. He would love to be in the lineup Monday night, and every night thereafter. Having said that, he hasn't been in the lineup for a long time, and hasn't played much in the past two seasons. He has reached a point in his career where he simply needs to play regularly.
"Lou Lamoriello has had open lines of communication with Josh on this issue. Not unexpectedly, the Maple Leafs in general and Lou in particular have been nothing but first class."
Leivo has struggled to become a regular for the Maple Leafs, having suited up for 53 games during his five-year career and just 25 since the start of last season.
The Innisfil, Ontario, native is signed through next season, when he'll earn $925,000.
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