Former Leaf named AHL playoff MVP

The Chicago Wolves put the finishing touch on their Calder Cup run last night, defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds 4-0 to cap off a 4-1 series win. Former Maple Leaf Josh Leivo tallied the final goal, and empty netter with 30 seconds left to go in the third period to seal the deal. As the Wolves celebrated their Calder Cup victory, Leivo was presented with the Jack A. Butterfield trophy as playoff MVP.

Leivo was drafted by the Leafs in the third round with the 86th overall pick in 2011. He was traded from the Leafs to the Canucks in December of 2018 by Kyle Dubas for Michael Carcone. The deal was made in order to fulfill a promise Dubas had made to Leivo the previous off-season. If Leivo wasn't getting regular playing time with the big club, Dubas would find him an opportunity elsewhere. Leivo would go on to play for the Canucks and Calgary Flames before landing in Carolina on a one year, $750,000 contract. The 29 year old winger played only 7 games for the Hurricanes this season, spending most of his time in the minors with the Chicago Wolves.

Leivo will be an unrestricted agent as of July 1st, if he is available on a league minumum deal, the Leafs would be smart to consider bringing him back into the fold in a depth role. Leivo is a strong skater, a hard forechecker, and has some finishing ability. His 15 goals and 29 points in just 18 playoff games in the AHL this year are a testament to that.

Its not unreasonable to think that Leivo would consider coming back to the Leafs. He would be competing against the likes of Pontus Holmberg, Nick Robertson and Alex Steeves for a roster spot, that would give him a good shot at making the team out of training camp, a much better opportunity than what was offered to him this season in Carolina. There is also the fact that Dubas did him a big favour that allowed Leivo the opportunity to play at the NHL level far more than he would have otherwise. I believe the fit could be good here, and I would imagine Leivo would jump at the chance to wear the blue and white once again.