Toronto Maple Leafs: EIL Content Roundup – August 13th

The season is officially over for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

But that doesn’t mean the content must stop. Yes, although the Maple Leafs may not be playing actual hockey games anymore, the Editor in Leaf staff have been working around the clock to ensure that every angle from every offseason topic has been covered.

With so many pieces hitting the wall all at once, it’s natural that a few may have fallen through the cracks. So, let’s take a look at some of the past week’s most intriguing pieces.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Goalie Depth Chart

Outside of Frederik Andersen, who is set to begin his fourth season in the starter’s role, the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation is relatively undefined heading into 2019-20.

Garret Sparks is (mercifully) gone and the duo of Michael Hutchinson and Michal Neuvirth will now enter training camp in an all out brawl for the backup job. Although, neither presents a guaranteed case to win it. Hutchinson is on a one-year deal with an AAV of $800,000; not exactly the most solidified of contracts, while Neuvirth doesn’t even have a contract and is instead on a Professional Tryout Offer.

Nothing is certain. Therefore, Spencer tried to make sense of a cluttered situation in his latest piece.

“Simply put, Michal Neuvirth was terrible last season.

The Czech netminder is no stranger to poor play or struggle, as he fell to multiple lower-body injuries this past year, and has a reputation for being ‘injury prone’.

Brought in on a PTO, Neuvirth seems to be following Tyler Ennis’ path of signing cheap to take advantage of the Maple Leafs’ medical staff.

That being said, Neuvirth’s age (31 years old), and poor play don’t exactly inspire confidence when it comes to the backup position.

Personally, I like Neuvirth, and hope that the can recover, but it doesn’t exactly seem likely to happen at this point. I expect the Leafs to pursue another backup option come preseason.”

Toronto Maple Leafs: Kenny Agostino Could be Valuable Addition

As one of the seven players to have their signings announce at once by the Maple Leafs last month, Kenny Agostino is arriving in Toronto with no promise of a defined job. And yet, the 27-year-old winger projects to be a decent addition relative to his overall cost.

The Maple Leafs can always use cost-effective depth options, particularly with their cap sheet set to inflate sooner or later when Mitch Marner cuts the nonsense and signs on the dotted line. If Agostino can provide them with some decent production, that’s a steal and half. Not to mention, he’s on a two-year deal, too.

In his latest piece, Todd a look at how Agostino can help the Leafs moving forward.

“Agostino undeservedly fell victim to a numbers game up front in Montreal, and was placed on waivers before landing in New Jersey. There, he was given more opportunity and took full advantage.

Thanks to an abundance of injuries, Agostino was slotted firmly into the top-9. At times, the top-6. He chipped in 13 points in 27 games (~40 points per 82) while ranking 2nd among 15 Devils forwards in Corsi For%.

What’s encouraging is Agostino didn’t just produce because he was given ice time. He was fairly efficient, averaging 1.69 points per 60 minutes at 5v5. For perspective, Anthony Cirelli and Patric Hornqvist recorded points at an identical rate (although over a full season). Those are solid players.”

Defencemen the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade For

The Maple Leafs made a concerted effort to improve or, at least, add to their blueline over the summer. They acquired a bonafide stud in Tyson Barrie, unfortunately absorbed the lacklustre Cody Ceci, and sprinkled in a host of other depth options who could give them some cost-effective production.

But did they do enough? And, perhaps more importantly, should they add someone else?

That’s the question Lucas seeks to answer in his piece from this week. Give it a read to find out what he thinks.

“Along with his contract, Brett Pesce also possesses elite defensive capabilities with the knack for shutting down the best players in the league. He doesn’t do it with crunching hits but instead uses his head to be in the right spots and have quick zone exits. He also blocks almost everything that comes into his path so Freddy won’t even have to see as many pucks.

He’s a good player and it would be great to acquire him, but the Leafs can’t make a Hall for Larson type of error if they want a player like this – you simply do not trade an elite offensive player for a defensive one.”

Thanks for reading!