Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 5th year left wing Josh Leivo(14) scores himself a new one-year one-way extension with a nice pay bump in what is a contract season for the restricted free agent.
He’s appeared in 5 NHL contests this campaign recording an assist and played a career high 13 games last year netting a new best 8 assists and 10 points.
The 3rd round pick is off to a slower start with affiliate Toronto Marlies, where he has no points in 5 AHL games after putting up 31 assists and 48 points with a +14 rating while unloading 158 shots on net.
As a 24-year old he may be still splitting time between the two top leagues but it’s almost a sure bet he makes it up to the show full-time for 2018/2019.
Josh Leivo (32)
Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 3rd year right wing Josh Leivo(32) has scored himself recalls in each of his seasons in the prospect system.
He had a bit of a down tick in goals and points (11-32) in his sophomore campaign but did slightly outpace his previous efforts in assists (21) in fewer appearances.
The power forward style player also skated a couple more games (9) with the parent club last season and got himself another NHL goal in the process.
Off to a super-hot start with affiliate Toronto Marlies, in 35 AHL games he already has equal to his goals from 2014/2015 with 11 and 19 assists, which looks to easily beat his previous high mark.
He was recently summoned for his first game of 2015/2016 with the big club and played 16 shifts for 10:58 of total ice with 2 shots on net, 1 hit and 2:37 of power play time.
With injuries to starters, he could find himself staying up for some extended time, especially if he can produce on the score sheet.
The 22-year old is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign and will likely be a no brainer to extend for at least another look.
Josh Leivo(14) Toronto Marlies
Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft (#86 overall) rookie right wing Josh Leivo(14) has put together a fantastic first year, mostly on reassignment with minor league affiliate Toronto Marlies.
In 59 AHL games he posted 23 goals (good enough for 2nd on the team) and 19 assists with a +6 rating.
He was also recalled to the parent club, skating in 7 NHL games with one tally and one helper to his credit.
The 6’2″ 195 lbs. power forward plays an aggressive but smart style, hard and honest without taking unnecessary penalties. His time in the sin bin is minimal.
Through three years of junior hockey in the OHL, he was virtually a point-per-game guy that showed an uptick of performance come playoff time, putting up 28 points in 22 games.
In the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs, the 21-year old is back at it. In 11 games he has 3 goals and 5 assists.
With continued hard work in the off-season, he could easily make a strong bid for a more permanent roster spot with the Leafs.