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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Most Surprising Off-Season Roster Addition

By Wilbert Timmermans

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 5: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie #94 returns to the dressing room after the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 5: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie #94 returns to the dressing room after the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 18: Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) rounds the net as he fends off Ottawa Senators defenseman Maxence Guenette (50) during third period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 18, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 18: Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) rounds the net as he fends off Ottawa Senators defenseman Maxence Guenette (50) during third period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 18, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

James Tanner

My pick for the most surprising addition is Alexander Kerfoot.

I knew Kerfoot was good, because one  of my favorite NHL analysts said that he should have won the Selke Trophy last  season, but I didn’t realize he was so fast.

Kerfoot has looked pretty dangerous on a  nightly basis, and I have to say that he’s been a more than adequate replacement for Kadri.  Since he was drafted, Nazem Kadri was one of my favorite players, and a big part of me wishes he could be on this team when they eventually win, but at the same time, Kerfoot is a better fit.

Kerfoot is a superior defensive player,  and while Kadri is better offensively, the fact is the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t need his offense, so he was wasted.  Kerfoot gives the Leafs a solid #3 centre, with the versatility to move up to play wing in the top six, which is what I think we’ll see eventually.

I really think the defensive awareness of Kerfoot might go very nicely on a line with Matthews and Nylander, but either way, I’m glad he’s on the team.

Next. Was Mike Babcock Set Up to Fail?. dark

54% Corsi with 57% of the scoring chances are very nice numbers, and the fact that he, Moore and Mikheyev seem to mesh so well makes the Toronto Maple Leafs incredibly dangerous.

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