Maple Leafs send Minten down to AHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned rookie center Fraser Minten to the AHL's Toronto Marlies on Tuesday, the team announced.

The 20-year-old has produced two goals and two assists in 11 games with the Maple Leafs this season. He tallied those same totals in five AHL games before his recall.

Minten was a healthy scratch for Sunday's 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Max Domi shifted to the third-line center role Minten had been occupying and put together his strongest game of the campaign with a goal and an assist in 15:25.

David Kampf, who's been out for more than a month with a lower-body injury, appears close to returning. A roster spot is needed to activate the veteran center off long-term injured reserve, and Minten can be assigned to the AHL without having to clear waivers.

The Maple Leafs drafted Minten 38th overall in 2022.