Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Maple Leafs Prospect Report: Getting To Know Josh Leivo

By Torrin Batchelor

facebooktwitterreddit

Every week throughout the NHL season and off-season, we will be updating you on the development, potential and realistic expectations for key Toronto Maple Leafs prospects with up-to-date stats, analysis and scouting reports.

The goal Josh Leivo scores around the 0:34 mark is the best example of what type of player he can be. Leivo is a right shooting, goal scoring winger that plays the game a lot like current Leaf Joffrey Lupul. He’s comfortable playing on his off-handed wing and uses his size and frame down low to control and cycle the puck efficiently.

He plays a good 200 foot game, but really excels in finding open space and rifling the puck past goaltenders. His greatest asset is his versatility, as you can use him as a checker, grinder, shut down defender, energy forward or goal scoring winger.

For the next few weeks, to get us through the post-season as teams not named the Leafs chase Lord Stanley’s Cup – we will be looking specifically at prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL and the Leafs NEXT season. Josh Leivo, definitely looks to be one of the players who is ready.

 Getting To Know: Josh Leivo

Age: 21

Position: Left Wing / Right Wing

Height / Weight: 6 foot 2 / 188lbs

Shoots: Right

Drafted: 2011 NHL Entry Draft, 3rd Round, 86th Overall, Toronto Maple Leafs

Contract Status: One year remaining on a 843K/Yr ELC, RFA Eligible in 2016/17

League / Team: AHL / Toronto Marlies

2014-15 Stat Line: 51GP –11G – 21A – 32PTS – 44PIM – Plus 12

Josh Leivo has had a rather disappointing sophomore year as a full-time member of the Toronto Marlies, often looking like he’s lost the confidence that makes him such a dangerous player driving off the wing. Last season Josh Leivo put up 23 goals in only 8 more games played, while getting mostly uninterrupted top line minutes.

With the influx of youth and top prospects to this years team, Leivo has seen some of his prime time ice cut into by William Nylander, Brendan Leipsic and Ryan Rupert among others. A supposed goal scorer suffering from confidence issues and coming off a disappointing season may not scream “NHL ready” to you, but Josh Leivo is.

More from Maple Leafs News

He has an NHL ready frame that if he adds another 5-7lbs of muscle over the summer will put him in a prime position to steal a top 9 role with the Maple Leafs next season.

Leivo’s versatility is really what is going to make him an NHL regular next season, as he can play either wing and fill in on any line if necessary – although he is best suited to a complimentary role as secondary scoring on the 2nd line. His work ethic, board play and ability to find the open spaces to score goals make him a great potential fit for either Peter Holland or potentially Dylan Strome on the Leafs’ second line.

Hockeysfuture.com again has a great write-up on his talent and potential:

"“Leivo is a naturally gifted athlete who can play a variety of roles which makes him a versatility player. His size allows him to work very well down low and he protects the puck effectively. A right handed shot who is comfortable playing on the left side, Leivo maintains a strong presence in front of the opposing team’s net, protects the puck well down low, and possesses a goal-scorers instincts.”"

NHL Upside: Josh Leivo

Upside: 2nd Line Power Goal Scoring Winger – 25+G 45+Pts

Realistic Projection: Top 9 Goal Scoring Winger, Contributes On Special Teams

NHL Ready: Now – aka 2015-2016

NHL Player Comparable: Joffrey Lupul, with more of a nose for the net, but less play-making vision

Next week we’ll continue to break down the Leaf’s prospect pipeline. Specifically, the prospects ready to make an impact with the Leafs next season.

As always, feel free to comment below or reach out to me on twitter @TorrinBatchelor as you can never have too many conversations about hockey in a day!

More from Editor In Leaf

Home/Maple Leafs News