Toronto Maple Leafs: Tom Sestito PTO Raises Questions

And now for some news that likely won’t ever impact the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On Saturday night, Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman tweeted out some rather surprising news, indicating that the Toronto Marlies would be bringing in former Pittsburgh Penguin and Vancouver Canuck, Tom Sestito on a PTO.

Before you react, this news is not as ridiculous as some may think.

Sestito is undoubtedly known to most by his label as a goon, and rightfully so, but the 31-year-old has actually been a relatively decent, if unspectacular performer at the AHL level in recent years. With a combined points-per-game pace of 0.44 compiled over the 2016-17 and 17-18 seasons spent with the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, Sestito would be an otherwise fine enough addition to a team in need of a veteran presence who can chip in a point or two.

The only hangup here is that the Marlies don’t need either of things.

Their current veteran core – which includes Vincent LoVerde, Colin Greening, Chris Mueller, Rich Clune and now Sam Gagner – is thought by many to be among the AHL’s best. Both Mueller and Gagner are scoring at over a point-per-game right now. Greening and LoVerde serve as defacto candidates for the team’s captaincy. And then there’s Clune, who fills the dual role of part-time coach and face puncher if need be.

What would Sestito bring to the Marlies that they don’t already have?

Well, considering how this is merely a tryout offer that wasn’t even officially confirmed until The Nation Network’s Jacob Stoller did so this afternoon, it likely won’t matter.

Marlies GM, Laurence Gilman, held the position of AGM of the Vancouver Canucks during Sestito’s stint in the organization, lasting from 2012-2015. The two share a history. And, by all accounts, Gilman bringing Sestito over to the Marlies is nothing more than him doing a favour for a former player who happens to be in the midst of weaving his way back into the game.

The addition of Sestito now gives the Marlies a total of 15 forwards. To put in perspective how deep their logjam currently is, not even Michael Carcone, who the Leafs acquired in return for Josh Leivo this month and has 18 points in 22 games, can crack the lineup. There’s no room.

It would go against pretty much everything the Marlies stand for, particularly under the watchful eye of Kyle Dubas, were they to sit a prospect or otherwise worthy contributor in favour of Sestito.

What this move achieves instead is taking advantage of the luxuries at the Marlies’ disposal.

Simply by being in Toronto, the Marlies receive a degree of media coverage that is entirely foreign to all 30 other AHL teams. Night after night, the press box is continually full regardless of whether or not the stands happen to be and every intricate move is looked upon under a microscope.

Let’s say you’re an agent and your goal is to get your client’s name out there for a comeback. The best way to accomplish that is probably by signing with one of hockey’s most successful PR firms.

The Marlies fit that bill, granting Sestito access to the team’s array of facilities, development staff, and sports science department that are all NHL calibre.

Reporters will inquire with the younger players about how Sestito has impacted the room, those younger players will opine about how wonderful a teammate he’s been, and then news of Sestito’s conducive presence will permeate throughout various hockey circles.

Just like that, the name “Tom Sestito” lands back on the corkboard where general managers list their preferred acquisition targets.

So, relax. Sestito will not take ice time away from your favourite prospect and he also won’t disrupt the balance of the Leafs’ foremost developmental pipeline.

At least, here’s hoping he doesn’t.

Thanks for reading!