The Marlies needed centre depth, and they have found it with two AHL contract signings.
The Leafs are over the cap—for now, this will fix itself in time—and they still haven't signed their RFAs yet, but that hasn't stopped the organization from addressing a need on the Marlies with two signings.
After rewarding Justin Holl with a modest NHL contract, the Leafs have switched gears and signed Marc-André Cliche and Colin Smith to AHL deals, which means they don't use up one of the 50 SPC spots available.
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) July 4, 2016
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) July 3, 2016
Cliche and Smith have a lot in common, even if they seem worlds apart at first glance.