The Toronto Maple Leafs have a ton of young talent in the AHL and NHL, and over the past couple of weeks, fans have seen some of the younger players on the back end step up and start to make a name for themselves.

That said, it hasn't been easy for players like Travis Dermott to crack the lineup and stay in the lineup on a consistent basis and that's something Josh Leivo knows far too well.

The 24-year-old has only played 12 games with the Leafs this season after playing in just 13 last season and this past weekend, a report surfaced that he had asked to be traded ahead of the deadline.

On Monday, Leivo spoke to the media for the first time since that news broke and he shed some light on what he wants.

Whether it's in Toronto or somewhere else, what Leivo wants couldn't be clearer, he just wants to play.  

We can only imagine how difficult it must be for a young player like Leivo who has worked his entire life to play in the NHL watch almost every game, so it's understandable why he would want a trade.

With the deadline approaching, all we and Josh can do is wait to see if a trade does materialize.  As for the here and now, Leivo won't be in the lineup Monday night against the Ducks.
(H/T: Kristen Shilton, Mark Masters)