Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Grades 2019-20 Regular Season

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 06: Adam Henrique #14 of the New Jersey Devils takes a face-off against Frederik Gauthier #33 of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images). /

Freddie Gauthier

Hard to believe, but Gauthier has now skated in parts of five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After being one of the NHL’s worst players in 2017-18 (costing the team almost 4 WAR) Gauthier rebounded last year to to provide positive value (almost 1 WAR).

This year, Gauthier was the perfect replacement player – costing his team nothing, but gaining nothing either.

Frankly, the Leafs can do better and should be dressing other players. There isn’t really any reason for the Leafs to dress Gauthier when they’ve got Kenny Agostino, Nic Petan and Adam Brooks in the NHL.

Gauther has had a good run, he’s turned out better than almost anyone expected, but he provides no offense, barely any defense and almost anyone they use would be likely to provide more.

Along with Kasperi Kapanen, Gauthier was one of the only Toronto Maple Leafs players to provide negative expected goals this year.

C. . FREDERIK GAUTHIER. D.

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