Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs have to Try and Keep Josh Leivo

By James Tanner

Feb 25, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Josh Leivo (32) reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Josh Leivo (32) reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs may lose Josh Leivo in the expansion draft.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs sit down and weigh all their options leading up to the expansion draft, they’ll have to make some tough decisions.  While most choices are obvious, there is a number of ways they can choose to go with their final protection spots.  Regardless of what they choose, at least some of Tyler Bozak, Brandan Leipsic, Kerby Rychel, Martin Marincin, Matt Martin and Josh Levio will be exposed.

In a perfect world, Las Vegas would  take Matt Martin and there would be nothing to worry about.  That isn’t likely to happen if they have the option of Leipsic, Rychel or Leivo, three players the Leafs should do everything within their power to keep.

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It was unpopular, but I suggested exposing Bozak, who is 30 and whose role (3rd line centre) the Leafs should be looking to upgrade anyway.  Bozak would likely get claimed, ensuring that the trio of promising potential late-blooming prospects would stay in the Leafs system.

Leivo is going to be 24 when next season starts, and he has two years of near point-per-game AHL production.  When he did get into games this past season, he was excellent. He had 10 points in 13 games played with the Leafs this year.

Leivo makes the Toronto Maple Leafs really Deep

Leivo likely isn’t going to be a point-per-game NHL player, but if he can chip in points while driving possession, as he did this season, then he can be a very valuable, cost-effective third or fourth line winger.  If he can come anywhere close to maintaining his 55% possession rating, then he’ll be among the best in the league in that role.

And he might be able to do it: All of the eight most frequent players to see the ice with Leivo experienced jumps in their possession rating.  There is evidence that the speedy, high-energy game of Leivo makes other players better.

Sure, it is only a small sample size, but it’s been consistently happening in each of the last three seasons in which Leivo has seen an audition.  (He’s played 13  , 12 , 9 and 7 games over the last four seasons).

Josh Leivo could potentially make the Toronto Maple Leafs an even deeper, even  harder team to face.  If Josh Leivo can play at even 80% of the level he showed in his 13 game tryout he’ll be one of the best third or fourth line wingers in the NHL.  If he can somehow keep going at that pace, he’ll be an all-star (he finished second in the NHL in p/60 over his 13 games).

Either way, the leafs have to keep Leivo.

All stats from stats.hockey.analysis.com

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