Kenny Agostino
Signed July 1st via NHL Free Agency
Age: 27
At first glance, Kenny Agostino looks like an unassuming fringe NHLer. In his professional career, he has played four full seasons in the AHL and only 85 games in the NHL.
However, Agostino has some very positive qualities about his game. In 2016-17 Agostino had the highest scoring season in the AHL of any player in the past 5 seasons. His offensive abilities have been demonstrated at the NHL level as well.
Agostino has scored 29 points/82 games in his NHL career despite playing only 12 minutes per game. His 1.74 points/60 minutes over the past 3 seasons also puts him in the company of steady NHLers and surpasses both Connor Brown and Zach Hyman.
While his offensive talents are intriguing, he brings physicality as well with 164 hits/82 games in his career. The most hits of any Leafs forward last year was Zach Hyman with 102.
Agostino won’t turn heads, but his physical game and ability to score consistently at the NHL level, despite limited minutes, makes him a great fit for the Leafs.
With Zach Hyman out due to injury to start the season, Agostino should get his chance to prove himself in an NHL role with the Toronto Maple Leafs.