Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly sign UFA Garrett Wilson
By James Reeve
According to reports out of Pittsburgh, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly signed unrestricted free agent Garrett Wilson.
Garrett Wilson has become the latest member of the Toronto Maple Leafs according to Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports.
Wilson, who was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2009 Draft, has spent the past three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins organisation.
After originally being drafted by the Panthers, Wilson became a regular in the AHL while also making infrequent appearances in the NHL.
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After two strong campaigns with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, in which he wore the coveted alternate captain’s ‘A’, Wilson was named captain of the team before making 50 regular-season appearances with the NHL Penguins.
In the NHL, Wilson is nothing more than a fourth-liner, registering just eight total points (two goals, six assists) – all of them coming with the Penguins this past season.
Wilson, who stands at 6-foot-2, 198lbs, plays quite a physical, defensive game and has totalled 205 hits in his 84 regular-season appearances in the NHL.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs, Wilson is likely to compete for a spot on the fourth line or find himself sent down to the Toronto Marlies, where he will provide solid leadership and offensive production for head coach Sheldon Keefe.
No official announcement has come from the team, in the same way that Nick Shore and Kenny Agostino have yet to be officially announced, despite places such as CapFriendly already listing them among the Leafs’ roster.
The signing of Wilson is intriguing, but will more than likely be a move to help boost the Marlies ahead of the 2019/20 season, with the organisation’s farm team losing a number of players this off-season.
There is still a long way to go until the start of the 2019/20 NHL season and a close eye will undoubtedly be kept on all the comings and goings of the Leafs.
Next. Honka could be a trade option for the Maple Leafs. dark
What do you think though Leafs fans? Do you think Wilson will be anything more than an AHL player? Will he carve out a role for himself on the Leafs’ fourth line? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!