Why would the Toronto Maple Leafs pick up Frank Corrado off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks only to healthy-scratch him?
It’s a puzzler in Leafsland, and general manager Lou Lamoriello was asked Friday about the drawbacks of having a 22-year-old prospect sit in the press box night after night.
“There’s always concerns, but there’s a time and a place for everything,” Lamoriello told Hockey Central at Noon.
“Right now the most important thing is what can we do here to get this team to play to the best of its abilities. In my opinion, you play exactly who you need to play to have the most success. People have to be ready when they’re given that opportunity to take advantage of it.”
The Maple Leafs are currently enjoying their most successful run in the Lamoriello era, having scooped standings points in five of their last six outings and winning back-to-back games for the first time all season.
One has to believe Corrado — a Toronto native who was thrilled to join his favourite childhood team — would love to make his 2015-16 NHL debut Saturday at the Air Canada Centre versus the team that tried to trade him and ultimately waived him.
Ironically, when Vancouver GM Jim Benning placed Corrado on waivers, it was with the hope that he’d clear and be able to hone his skills in the American Hockey League.
“To develop, Corrado needs to play,” Benning said at the time.
Corrado did play seven games with the AHL Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint, recording three assists and posting a plus-3 rating. Since then, he’s been patiently practising and awaiting his first shift with the big club.
“Frankie’s a great kid. He’s committed. He works hard every day,” Lamoriello said. “His time will come, and then it will be up to him to make the most of that opportunity.”
