In what is certainly a paper transaction to make him eligible for the AHL playoffs, Nikita Soshnikov was sent to the Marlies today. He’s waiver exempt, so he can be sent down and called back up immediately after. That call-up will use one of the Leafs’ four allowed post deadline recalls.

You can read more on these arcane rules here.

The Marlies currently have a more secure hold on their playoff spot than the Leafs have managed, so either way, Soshnikov looks like he’ll see some post-season action.

No other AHL transactions have happened yet, but we’ll keep you posted.

UPDATE: Soshnikov was the only transaction today, and he was recalled to the Leafs a few minutes ago.