Toronto Maple Leafs: Valiev Deserves His Shot

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a good amount of talented prospects, so it’s rewarding to see some of them push for rosters spots in the lineup and although it is ideal for some to spend time in the minors to develop, there’s nothing wrong with seeing some prospects force their way onto the team.

Currently the Toronto Maple Leafs have five defenseman that you can pencil in with Morgan Rielly, Nikita Zaitsev, Jake Gardiner, Matt Hunwick, and Roman Polak.

Which means there will be an opening on the bottom pairing of the defense for any young player or prospect that wants to take it and one of those prospects that has the potential to force his way into the lineup is 21 year-old Rinat Valiev.

Valiev had his cup of coffee in the NHL last season in which he played 10 games while averaging 12 minutes a game and although he did not rack up any points in his short stint, he did leave a good first impression in his short stint, especially with head coach Mike Babcock.

Prior to his short stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Russian defenseman spent his entire first season as pro with the Toronto Marlies where he put up 4 goals with 19 assists and was +32 with 30 penalty minutes in 60 regular season games.

He isn’t going to garner the spotlight and headlines like other Toronto Maple Leafs prospects, but Valiev is a calm and composed puck moving defenseman that could go well with someone like Polak who will be undoubtedly be on the bottom pairing.

However, do not sell Valiev’s skill set short and as stated, he is calm and composed when moving the puck, but he has the technical skill and positional awareness that will only help him as he fights for for lone spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Also, Polak is a right-handed defenseman while Valiev is a left-handed one, so that’s why there is a potential fit and not to mention Babcock likes to use the left-righty if he can. Not to mention the coaching staff will not throw Valiev to the wolves right away and will just ease him in which is why he is one of the ideal candidates for this open roster spot especially if he has a strong summer and training camp.

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Now, not saying he is a lock to win that final spot on the blueline, but in his short stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs he did not look out of place and hardly recall his name being called, which for a defenseman is a good thing.

Could Valiev yes another season in the American Hockey League? Yes. With the Marlies he would be a candidate for the top pairing and play in all situations for them. However, out of all the defenseman that the Toronto Maple Leafs have drafted, he has the best shot of cracking the lineup and it would be nice to see one of the young defenseman crack through since we are seeing the young forwards starting to break through.

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Again not suggesting nor saying he should be the leading candidate for the opening spot, but he should be given a hard look if his play warrants it. There will be lots of competition heading into training camp for that final spot on the blueline, but do not be surprised if the former third round pick in the 2014 NHL draft comes out on top.