Maple Leafs took a calculated risk that is now blowing up in their faces

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a big swing at the beginning of this season by trading for Kirill Marchenko. It was the sort of bold move that GM John Chayka had to make to propel the organization to a competitive level.

The move worked while Marchenko was on the ice. But as has been the case again for the Leafs this season, injuries have played a major role in derailing their season.

And now, it looks like the chickens have come home to roost for Chayka’s calculated risk.

That risk involved maxing out his tagging room. That once-obscure rule is now on everyone’s minds. And all it took was boneheaded bet to make it prominent among NHL fans and pundits. And it’s that rule, which isn’t so obscure…