Craig Berube Hints At A Potential Roster Move For The Maple Leafs

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Chris Gerics
November 18, 2024 (5:25 PM)

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Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke about needing another forward to pick things up, and it could lead to a call-up for one of their top prospects.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are riding a wave of momentum however it's due in part to their top two lines being a wrecking ball lately. Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Bobby McMann, and John Tavares have all stepped up in a big way.

Doing this without their captain is one thing, but doing it with no other production? Extremely impressive.

Toronto needs help, and they have a few options they can pursue whether it's the trade market or waivers but they also have the perfect fit waiting for his chance again.

It's Fraser Minten's Time

Per David Alter The Hockey News, head coach Craig Berube opened up about his thoughts regarding if Fraser Minten should be called upon to help Toronto out:

"We've got to look at what's best for us and then what's best for him," Berube said about Minten. "It's a conversation. But he's a good player. We all know that. And he's playing well down there already. So we'll see what happens."

Oh man, what a rollercoaster for Fraser Minten. After starting so strong this offseason and looking like a shoo-in for a roster spot with the Leafs, he suffered an ankle injury during the Prospect Showcase and was out for a good amount of time.

But returning to the Marlies after healing up, Minten has been on a tear with 4 points in 5 games showing everyone why he was so highly touted and drafted 38th overall.

So with Toronto needing scoring, they have to give Minten a shot, he can't do worse than Nick Robertson or Pontus Holmberg.

Alex Steeves got a call-up earlier and hasn't gotten a true shot yet, and the Leafs can't afford to do the same thing with Minten. Head coach Craig Berube is aware of this but is cautious about rushing him in.

Toronto does have Steeves available and he will be skating with the team in preparation for Wednesday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights, but Berube acknowledges they need more help:

"He definitely will be practicing with us tomorrow. And he's a guy that can, you know, get in the lineup for sure," coach Berube said of Steeves. "But we also, we might need another guy. But we've got to look at it here."

If Not Fraser Minten, Who Else?

Toronto has a few options to choose from. They could bring up Alex Nylander but would need to adjust his contract from an AHL to a professional NHL deal. He's got Logan Shaw, a veteran playmaker who has been a stud for the Marlies in his time there.

Or, he could take a look at Nikita Grebenkin, the Maple Leafs' 5th Round selection in 2022.

A solid 6'2, 210 pounds, Grebenkin would bring the size and scoring Toronto needs to their bottom six. He's second on the Marlies with 10 points and dazzled the AHL with goals such as these.

Already experienced in professional hockey with his time in the KHL, Grebenkin deserves an honest look given his immense talent and unique skillset he brings.

He fits Craig Berube's system perfectly and would give Toronto a glimpse into their future and the potential to have two elite power forwards in Grebenkin and Matthew Knies.

Toronto has several options to choose from, but Fraser Minten's already been here, and has shown he deserves to be on the Maple Leafs once again.