Defenceman Paul Ranger (left) has been a model of consistency with the Marlies this season, but “is not on the radar” of the Maple Leafs, according to head coach Randy Carlyle. (DAVE ABEL/QMI Agency)
TORONTO - Randy Carlyle and Dallas Eakins were teammates 20 years ago on the Winnipeg Jets and have remained friends.
Whether they’ll be on the same page about who gets promoted from Eakins’ Marlies for Leaf training camp remains to be seen. Eakins is naturally going to campaign hard in the organizational meetings this week for as many AHL farmhands as possible to get a look in the coming days.
Carlyle might have to temper his friend’s enthusiasm. He said Monday that only about 30 players would be coming to camp and if that includes all healthy Leafs from last year, it doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for extras. There are 23 spots on the roster, unless the league expands that during the lockout transition,
Carlyle reminded the media on Monday of his commitment to NHL contracted players, at least at the start.
