Marlies forward poised to challenge for a roster spot with the Leafs this year
Photo credit: CHRISTIAN BONIN/TSGPHOTO.COM
The Maple Leafs did not make any significant additions at forward this summer, which has opened the door for a Marlies forward to step up and grab a roster spot in training camp.
24-year-old forward Alex Steeves did not have the luxury of being drafted by an NHL club in his draft year, instead opting to go down the NCAA route.
Steeves spent 3 seasons with Notre Dame in the Big-10, capping off his college career with a 15-goal, 32-point season in 2020-21, which put him on the radar of several clubs. The Maple Leafs were the team who he saw the best fit with, and while Steeves was able to gain some NHL experience over the past few seasons, he has been unable to stick, having racked up just 7 games with the Leafs in total.
In the week following July 1st, The Leafs Nation's Jon Steitzer released an article in which he discussed the likelihood that Steeves may be ready to take on a 4th line role with the Leafs this season. In the article, Steitzer stated:
"Steeves is a bit of a safety net for the Maple Leafs. If things go well with Cowan and Minten, he's not required. Nor will he be required if Jacob Quillan, Nikita Grebyonkin, Ryan Tverberg, or Roni Hirvonen demonstrate they can take a step forward. Right now in a sea of question marks, Steeves looks like a player who can log NHL 4th-line minutes until Toronto finds a better option and that's not a bad place for him to be, especially since he hasn't been seen at the NHL level and there is hope of getting something extra out of him."
If the 24-year-old pivot cannot stick with the Leafs this season, a trade could very well be on the horizon. In the past, we have seen the Leafs grant trade requests to players whose paths to the NHL are somewhat blocked, so it wouldn't be surprising to see that being the case here as well if Steeves doesn't earn a spot out of training camp.
As Steitzer had mentioned, though, Steeves is going to have a lot of competition for a roster spot, with the likes of Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan, Nikita Grebyonkin and others vying for a spot in the NHL. It won't be easy, but there's little doubt that Steeves will aim to prove that he's up to the task.
Source: The Leafs Nation
Alex Steeves should finally get his opportunity with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25
Alex Steeves should finally get his opportunity with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 21 | 446 ANSWERS Marlies forward poised to challenge for a roster spot with the Leafs this year Is Alex Steeves deserving of a look in the NHL next season? | ||
| Yes | 379 | 85 % |
| No | 67 | 15 % |
| List of polls | ||
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
