In yesterday’s trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Tomas Plekanec and Kyle Baun from the Montreal Canadiens.
Mike Stephens already wrote a post on Plekanec and the value that he adds to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now I’d like to focus on right winger Kyle Baun.
The @MapleLeafs announced that the hockey club has acquired forwards Tomas Plekanec and Kyle Baun from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Rinat Valiev, Kerby Rychel and Toronto’s second round draft pick in 2018.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 25, 2018
Baun is a pending UFA who is 25 years old. On the Leafs depth chart, he is behind everyone in the NHL, and probably most people on the Marlies. With Kirby Rychel moving out, Baun may fill in for him for the rest of the season, at which point he is unlikely to be re-signed. All four players in this trade are free agents next year. While the Leafs probably would have retained Valiev and Rychel, letting Baun walk will clear a contract spot on the 50 man roster limit.
Bauns the grandson of former Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings defenseman, Bobby Baun. Bobby played 11 seasons in Toronto and helped bring home the Stanley Cup four times. Over the course of Bobby’s NHL career, he tallied 37 goals and 187 assists in 964 games.
Kyle Baun
Instead of playing junior hockey, Baun had decided to attend Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. Baun played three seasons for Colgate and totaled 39 goals, 40 assists and 151 PIM in 113 games. After his junior year at Colgate, he signed a two-way entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in March of 2015.
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Baun made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks in early April of 2015 against the Minnesota Wild. Unfortunately for Baun, he couldn’t crackthe lineup and grab a permanent role in the Windy City. Baun spent most of his time with Chicago’s AHL team, the Rockford IceHogs.
In his 2016-2017 season, he put up solid offensive numbers. Baun posted 14 goals and 20 assists in 64 games played. Unfortunately Baun’s tenure with the Blackhawks organization didn’t last too long. Stan Bowman, general manager of the Blackhawks decided to deal Baun to the Canadiens in October of last year. Bowman was looking to grab a left handed shot to play for the IceHogs and decided to move on from Baun to land Andreas Martinsen from the Habs.
This season, Baun has played with the Canadiens’ AHL team, the Laval Rocket. Unfortunately the change of scenery wasn’t a positive one for Baun this season. His goal and assists numbers have significantly dropped. In 54 games for the Rocket, Baun posted 4 goals and 12 assists.
Perhaps another change in scenery and Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Marlies can help Baun turn his game around.
Where Will Baun Sit In The Organization?
Baun will most likely will be sent down to the Toronto Marlies. Hopefully Keefe will be a strong mentor for Baun and Keefe can mold Baun into a good prospect, but as of now, I would consider that unlikely.
Unfortunately for Baun, the Toronto Maple Leafs have quite a bit of organizational depth at wing. The Toronto Maple Leafs have another solid right wing prospect playing for the Marlies at the moment in Jeremy Bracco. So far this season, Bracco has proven his worth and has 4 goals and 13 assists in 32 games.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs need an emergency call-up on right wing, Lou Lamoriello would be more likely to call up five different guys before Baun. So, Baun has his work cut out for him.
statistics and research from theahl.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com and wikipedia.com