What Do You Think?: Toronto Maple Leafs and PTOs
The Toronto Maple Leafs sit mere weeks away from the start of training camp with a number of roster questions having yet to be answered.
Welcome to another instalment of Canada’s most popular recurring series (don’t look that up), What Do You Think? If you’re new here, I’ll explain how this works.
Each week I identify some developing news regarding the Leafs, provide my brief take on it, then throw it over to you, our loyal readers. Give me your opinion on the matter in the comments below, be it agreeable or not, and you could potentially be featured in the follow-up post later in the week!
Today’s topic is none other than PTO’s, the source of immeasurable late-August Twitter fights.
Teams have begun using PTO’s only recently, so it’s not as if the Leafs are too far behind the eight ball on this one quite yet. Especially with the noticeable dearth of quality options.
Just look at the Oilers, who announced invites for both Jason Garrison and Scottie Upshall to camp earlier this week and effectively doubled down on their organizational scheme to surround Connor McDavid with the least talented supporting cast possible.
I’m sure those guys will really move the needle. Playoffs here they come!
Still, there are indeed some intriguing names for the Leafs to look at, ones who could either shore up some roster depth or at least make things a tad more interesting. Let’s take a look.
My Take
In my eyes, the Leafs desperately need depth in two specific areas; 4th line centre and right-handed D.
Considering how RHD don’t exactly grow on trees, few options on this current market truly warrant an invite, meaning it’s a no-go on that one. And so, we turn to 4th line centre.
By all accounts, Par Lindholm has better odds at panning out in Leaf blue than not, with the numbers hinting towards the relatively smooth transition of his game from overseas to North American ice.
Only, that’s still not a given. European free agents have cratered before (Petri Kontiola, anyone?) and I seriously doubt Kyle Dubas is all gung-ho on entering this critical season with such a glaring roster need.
Enter, Nick Shore, whose name is etched into the collective hearts of the analytics community.
Despite logging time in three separate organizations last season, Shore holds the potential to be 2018’s most explosive bargain. Well, if given the chance.
Per The Athletic’s Ryan Stimpson, the underlying numbers of Shore’s age-25 season managed to top Jonathan Marchessault’s the year prior to his eye-popping breakout. Those same numbers painted Marchessault in desperate need of a linemate upgrade, bogged down by the offensive ineptitude of his supporting casts. Shore’s do the same to an even greater extent.
If given time alongside players of legitimate offensive quality, there’s really no telling what he could do.
Not to mention, Shore is a remarkably versatile player. Equally capable down the middle or along the wings, his ability to slide in wherever needed is sure to check some of Mike Babcock’s mental boxes. In fact, Babcock has previously stated his love for packing his lineup with as many centres as humanly possible. And, well, Shore’s a centre.
What’s not to love?
Frankly, I’m shocked, flummoxed, even, that Shore remains available with the calendar flipping to September. NHL teams DO employ an analytics staff, right? The numbers are right there. At least give him a shot.
Really, giving Shore a PTO is the epitome of low-risk, high reward. Worst case, he fails to impress and you walk away FOR FREE. Best case? Take a gander at Marchessault’s hockeyDB page.
dark. Next. Trade Value Power Ranking
But it doesn’t matter what I think. What do YOU think? Give your take in the comments below to be potentially featured in the follow up article later this week!