The real reason the Leafs passed on acquiring a 3C during free agency emerges
The real reason the Toronto Maple Leafs passed on acquiring a third center during free agency emerged in a new report.
While most people can agree that Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving did his job this summer by signing key defensemen, it appears that another hole can be seen in the Leafs' roster: the bottom-six, especially at the third center position.
It was clear that with the available cap space, Treliving wouldn't be able to fill all the Leafs' needs this summer. However, he might have an interesting plan after all.
A new report confirmed what Treliving and head coach Craig Berube could be planning to do ahead of the 2024 training camp.
Our colleagues over at Maple Leafs Daily revealed that a few things could happen: we could see a player from the AHL get a promotion, Max Domi could become a full-time center, or Treliving could make a trade.
Let's start by taking a look at what the Leafs currently have on their roster that would be fit for a third center role.
As of now, both Pontus Holmberg and Max Domi are great options for that position. Holmberg, unlike Domi, is a natural center. However, he was sent to the wings on multiple occasions in recent seasons, partly due to his 44% faceoff success rate. As for Domi, he reached 50%, winning 226 out of the 452 draws he took part in.
Other players need to be included in those discussions: Fraser Minten, Alex Steeves, or even Easton Cowen.
Alex Steeves, 24, scored 57 points in 65 games with the Marlies last season. In four career games in the NHL, he hasn't been able to register a point yet.
Both Minten and Cowen are getting close to becoming NHL-ready, and the next training camp could change a lot for their careers. In the past season, they proved that they are the most interesting prospects in the Leafs pipeline.
Cowen, 19, scored 96 points in 54 games with the London Knights in the OHL last season. He played an important role in helping his team win the championship, adding 34 points in 18 playoff games.
As for Minten, he played for the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL, but also took part in four games with the Maple Leafs. He failed to register a point in the NHL, but scored 38 points in 36 games.
Even if fans are eager to see them in the NHL, they are young and could benefit from another year before joining the NHL.
However, if they prove that they deserve a spot in the Leafs' lineup, we could see Berube try multiple scenarios in the preseason games. Can they really steal Max Domi's or Pontus Holmberg's spots in the training camp? Possibly.
But Treliving needs to make the best possible decision for his team as well as the players' development. Considering that Toronto is looking to win a Stanley Cup, it might not be the best environment for Minten or Cowen to develop into the players they're poised to become.
Source for Max Domi's statistics: Hockey DB
Max Domi
Source for Pontus Holmberg's statistics: Hockey DB
Pontus Holmberg
Source for Fraser Minten's statistics: Hockey DB
Fraser Minten
Source for Easton Cowen's statistics: Hockey DB
Easton Cowen
Source for Alex Steeves' statistics: Hockey DB
Alex Steeves
| POLL | ||
Who do you think should be the Maple Leafs 3C next season? | ||
| Max Domi | 141 | 45.9 % |
| Pontus Holmberg | 42 | 13.7 % |
| Alex Steeves | 18 | 5.9 % |
| Fraser Minten | 106 | 34.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
