If Milan Michalek could go back in time, he would do things a lot differently.
Last February - then a member of the Ottawa Senators - Michalek made the tough decision to waive his no-trade clause, accepting a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal that saw Dion Phaneuf sent the other way.
Fast forward nearly nine months and Michalek now finds himself playing with the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League affiliate, the Marlies - while the Maple Leafs dress multiple first-year players - wishing things could have worked out differently.
"Looking back now it probably was the wrong decision," Michalek told Dave Alter of The Athletic. "But I’m only looking forward right now."
Michalek made the Maple Leafs' roster out of training camp, contributing a goal and an assist in five games, but has not played with the big club since Oct. 22, following the Maple Leafs waiver pickup of Ben Smith.
Despite his misfortune, he continues to compete at the AHL level, contributing a goal and four points in eight games, while trying his best not to be a distraction in the dressing room.
"I don’t want to be the guy that’s going to be pissed and bringing the guys down; I don’t want to be that guy," Michalek said. "I’m making the best out of what I can do here and help the young guys if I can. I’m also lucky that the minors are in the same town, so I don’t have to move my family, so thankfully that wasn’t an issue."
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