Maple Leafs have reduced their training camp roster to 70 players after making first cuts

Toronto's roster has shrunk to 70 players after announcing that defenseman Nathan Mayes, Sam McCue, Maxim Muranov, Marshall Finnie, and Miroslav Holinka have all been assigned to their junior squads.

McCue will return to the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League after being selected by the Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft (216th overall).

The Hitmen in Calgary received Muranov back. After 63 games, the Russian junior team player finished the season with 22 goals and 28 assists.

Both Finnie and Holinka were returned to the Edmonton Oil Kings. After playing in Czechia for the previous two years, Holinka will be playing in his first season in the WHL. The Maple Leafs selected the 6-foot-2 forward with their 151st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

After receiving an invitation to the Leafs Rookie Tournament Showdown against the Montreal Canadiens, Finnie is back with the Oil Kings. When Finnie and prospect Ben Danford collided, it made headlines. The defenseman suffered a concussion during that practice, from which he is still recovering.

Mayes joins the Spokane Chiefs once again. In the 2024 NHL Draft, Toronto selected him with the seventh-round pick (225th overall).

As none of the five players were included in any of the first two primary groups of training camp, which got underway on Wednesday, none of the cuts are shocking. The move aligns with the Leafs' strategy to refine their roster as they gear up for the upcoming pre-season games.

There are still an incredible 70 players at training camp for the Leafs after the five cuts. The Ottawa Senators will be the opponent of the Leafs' opening preseason game on Sunday at home.