Toronto Maple Leafs: Brooks Laich Should get Another Look

Tyler Bozak was out Saturday night for the Toronto Maple Leafs crucial game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Bozak apparently cut his hand and got an infection, leading to his sudden absence in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. In his place came Ben Smith, who centred a line with James Van Riemsdyk and Connor Brown.

The Leafs lost 3-2 in overtime, and Ben Smith certainly struggled on the ice. As the game went on it became more apparent that Smith belongs as an AHL centreman, and maybe there are other players who should perhaps be taking his place instead.

Out From the Minors

Well whatever happened to Brooks Laich? The 4th line centre that the Leafs acquired from Washington last season has been playing with the Marlies all season.

Laich has been unhappy with the ways things have been going this season. He went on record recently discussing the fact that he would rather play for another team in which he can chase a Stanley Cup. Shortly after he said this however, the Leafs waived him and he still went unclaimed. Bummer.

He clearly wants another shot at the NHL, and I might sound crazy but as long as the Leafs have him, I think it might be worth giving him a shot as a call up.

Capabilities

Let’s face it, Brooks Laich isn’t anything special. At 33, he’s an aging veteran centreman that Washington traded away because they needed to dump cap space. His contract isn’t that great either, and as Editor in Leaf’s own Tim Chiasson pointed out earlier this week, if the Leafs did try to deal Laich they would likely have to retain 50% of his salary in a move that would bring back a very small return.

But Laich is still capable of fulfilling a 3rd or 4th line centre role on the Leafs if need be. Over the course of his NHL career, he has put up 331 points In 764 games, mainly with the Washington Capitals. Now although most of this production has come from his early years which are way past him now, last season saw him play a whole 81 games to accumulate 14 points with very minimal minutes.

As we saw during his 21 game stint with Toronto last season too, he wasn’t half bad playing in our bottom six. In fact, I don’t think people had many complaints against his performance given his playing time. Ben Smith on the other hand…

His age can also be a benefit to the Leafs, as he can be a mentor to the young guns during his time. This is something that is still valued amongst such a young group of guys. It’s already known that Laich has been playing that fatherly role for the young guys since last season. Just take a look at him bonding with his two so–I mean Kasperi Kapanen and William Nylander:

Now i’m not saying Brooks Laich should be a full time roster player. I definitely do not advocate that, as the Leafs have too many young guns vying for a spot in their own right.

But I am saying that Brooks Laich can be a good depth centreman for call-ups. Just during this Bozak injury even, I’d say Brooks Laich could have been given a shot ahead of Ben Smith. He could have centred the 4th line pretty effectively with Frederik Gauthier getting a chance at 3rd line minutes perhaps.

It doesn’t look like Toronto or Laich will get their wish in seeing him moved this season. I’d say they might as well use him when they could, such as when injuries like this Bozak one happens.

Not everyone in the Marlies are ready for a callup, which leaves only a few prospects available to replace injured Leafs. Just because Laich is older, he should get a shot. He can actually bring a lot to a contending team in his own right.