Toronto Maple Leafs: Time for Josh Leivo to get his shot

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ training camp has opened and no one should be more excited than Josh Leivo, who looks to be in position to finally crack the lineup.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock never shows his hand. He never gives more than he has to.

However, in my opinion, there HAS to be a part of him that likes what he has seen from Josh Leivo. And not just from this camp either.

Leivo has shown a passion to be a Leaf over the last few seasons by his composure and patience off the ice. He has only cracked the lineup 57 times in his career and has been a healthy scratch more often than not.

Yet, he still signed a one-year deal to stay with this organization. He sees something in Toronto that he wants to be a part of.

The Leaf brass must see something as well, otherwise he would have been traded or let walk by now. So why not give him his shot?

In the 57 games in his NHL career, Leivo has gotten on the score sheet 22 times (10 goals and 12 assist). Now although that is not lighting it up, for a guy who doesn’t play regularly, it is nothing to shake a stick at either.

For comparison purposes, Kasperi Kapanen, a player who everyone is very high on — and rightfully so — has 10 points in 55 games. Yet he seems to have the inside track on a roster spot.

Also, Connor Brown, who most likely projects to Nazem Kadri‘s right side on the third line, has over his career scored at a rate of .40 points per game. Leivo comes in at .39 points per game.

Hmmm? Now, to say that Leivo would keep this pace is probably shooting for the stars a bit, but….what if?

Babcock has had this issue before with the Detroit Red Wings, where prospects kept getting found from the most unlikely of places. Perhaps giving Leivo a shot at a regular shift, with a regular line, he can make an impact; the thing is, we will never know until he gets the chance.

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Where would he look good? I know Babcock has spoken about putting Zach Hyman up on the top line (or 1a, or 1b, depending on your outlook) with Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau, while William Nylander is still out of the light. This is justified, especially when you consider Hyman will get hard pucks and deliver them to his linemates. (Hyman scores at a career rate of .41 points per game).

But what about Leivo up there? At least a couple of games in the preseason to see what he has?

I know this is a reach and at best Leivo will see time on the fourth line, with Par Lindholm and <insert name here> , but perhaps he sticks around this year. Regardless of where he pencils in, he would look rather resplendent in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the season!

And all this does is possibly cause MORE cap room struggles for general manager Kyle Dubas next year. But having to pay talent and having to find room is a good thing when you are paying for quality.