Toronto Maple Leafs: Keep an Eye on Michael Paliotta

If you’re a typical Toronto Maple Leafs fan, you’ll agree that October is one of the most exciting times of the year.

While we’re still in September, it’s still just about time to start getting excited. The Toronto Maple Leafs training camp is underway and they kick off preseason action on Monday night against the Ottawa Senators.

Yes, Leafs’ hockey is back on Monday. Let that sink in.

Throughout a summer of speculation and articles on what the Leafs will look like heading into the 2017-18 season, one question that has been repeating itself is what the Leafs’ defensive core will look like.

As of now, the boys in blue have five defensemen who are more or less locks to make the team. These include Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey, and Connor Carrick.

There’s one spot left on the bottom pairing that is up for grabs. Candidates to fill this spot include Calle Rosen, Travis Dermott, Martin Marincin, and Andreas Borgman. The Buds also brought back gritty defender Roman Polak on a PTO, so he can be in that discussion as well.

One thing is for certain. No matter who makes the team, the other players battling for the spot will all be call-up candidates for injuries or lackluster performance. I’m here to familiarize you guys with a name who hasn’t heard his name in discussion for the sixth spot and beyond. His name is Michael Paliotta.

About Paliotta

Paliotta first had eyes on him back in 2014-15 during his final NCAA season. Playing for the University of Vermont, the defenseman notched a career high of 36 points in 41, despite his reputation as a defensive d-man.

A third round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011, he was then dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with Brandon Saad in a blockbuster trade that brought Marko Dano and Artem Anisimov to Chicago. He spent the 2015-16 season playing for the Jackets’ AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, where he would put up 23 points in 68 games. He appeared in one game apiece between the Hawks and Jackets.

More from Editor In Leaf

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
• Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
• Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
• Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
• Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament

Last summer, he was signed to a one year deal with the New York Rangers where he spent the season playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, notching 14 points in 52 games.

After hopping from team to team over the past two years, the Maple Leafs signed Paliotta to an AHL deal, and he’s headed to training camp in hopes of catching the attention of Leafs’ brass.

What He Brings to the Team

The Toronto Maple Leafs have an absolute dogfight in the system now. There are tons of players that are battling for spots, and in my opinion, Paliotta should be included in that discussion. He’s a very good defensive defenseman, he has good size at 6’4 and 207lbs, and he shoots right-handed.

If the Connecticut native can impress during training camp, it wouldn’t at all surprise me to see the Leafs ink him to an NHL deal. He can provide defensive depth throughout the season and continue to develop in the minors.

Next: From the Rookie Camp to the Main Camp

Regardless, there’s a lot of young talent in the pipelines and it’s going to be interesting to see who comes out on top as the season kicks off.

All statistics and information obtained from eliteprospects.com