Toronto Maple Leafs: The Top Five Prospect Options

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TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 25 – Toronto Maple Leafs center Miro Aaltonen (45) skates by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Brandon Davidson (88) as the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Montreal Canadiens in NHL pre-season action at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. September 25, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Miro Aaltonen

The centerpiece for the fourth line center debate makes his appearance, landing at number five.

Miro Aaltonen was drafted 177th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft to the Anaheim Ducks, never suiting up for a game in their system.

He went unsigned by the Ducks and was signed as a free agent by the Leafs on March 17, 2017, to a one-year deal with a cap hit of $925,000.

Aaltonen spent the 2016-17 season with the Vityaz Podolsk of the KHL, producing 19 goals and 44 points in 59 games played.

He was utilized as an offensive player in the K, but Mike Babcock wants to transition his game to be a more defensively minded player, capable of handling penalty kill duties.

The vacant fourth line center position has been completely up for grabs after newcomer, Dominic Moore, failed to impress early on and Aaltonen’s made the best of the situation, leading mainly be believe that he has the inside track.

I’ve been quite impressed with his preseason play and I’d bet that I’m not the only one who feels that way.

It’s not 100% that the job is his, but it looks like it’s his to lose.

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