Taking Stock of the Maple Leafs Roster Battle: Forwards Edition
The Toronto Maple Leafs are halfway through their pre-season schedule. Every player on their training camp roster has a chance to state their case for a job on opening night.
Adam Gaudette has fallen behind in the race for an opening night job in Toronto. Nick Robertson's stock went up. Gudette will get a chance to boost his stock back up by playing in Montreal on Monday. The expectations surrounding Nick Roberston are ridiculous. He should be expected to play in a regular-season game. It's a normal development curve. If he doesn't, he'll be considered a failure. There are better players in camp than him. Toronto's regular season starts on Saturday.
Robertson is in his third training camp with the Maple Leafs. He has scored three goals and four points in two games. Denis Malgin came to the camp this year with a lot to prove. He is second in NHL Pre-season Goal-Scoring. The only thing keeping Robertson off the opening night roster is money. Toronto's cap situation is tight. Robertson's combination of waiver exemption and higher-than-league-minimum cap hit might force the front office to start him in the minors. It would be a shame. If it does, though. Malgen would have to stay in Toronto. They are both players who have played in Canada.
Malgin has been playing well for the Maple Leafs lately. He's developed a good relationship with William Nylander.
Wayne Simmonds is on the bubble, but he's not completely washed. Zach Aston-Reese is a no-nonsense, defensively-gifted forward who can forecheck with speed and tenacity. He's also a good skater. He has improved his footspeed over the summer. The Leafs will probably keep him. If they can make the money work, they will do it. But it's looking bad for him now. It's good for Aston Reese. They're keeping him around. There are far, far worse glue guys to keep around a team than Simons.
Aston-Reese is a fourth-line winger on a loaded team. He's been offered a contract, but it won't be for the league minimum. Alex Steeves has impressed in his pre-season games. He got signed for free in March 2021. The Leafs got him for a college free agent market. Steves played in three games for Toronto last season. His performance has been impressive. It's not surprising if he makes the opening night roster. Forwards are a big part of the Maple Leafs' current roster battle.
