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Top 3 Non-Core Players the Toronto Maple Leafs Can’t Do Without

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: Jason Spezza #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Travis Dermott #23 gets ready to face the Washington Capitals at the Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: Jason Spezza #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Travis Dermott #23 gets ready to face the Washington Capitals at the Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

#3. Kyle Clifford

The Ayr, Ontario native is set to become an UFA and although the team has great forward depth, they need to resign Clifford.

When you dissect the Leafs roster, they already have nine forwards that can score a minimum of 20 goals per season, but they’re lacking toughness. It’s great to have so much scoring depth, but you can’t be an All-Star team in the playoffs.

Obviously the objective of the game is to score more goals than the other team but at the same time, you need a Clifford type of player when the game gets tough.

Just look at his impact during the qualifying round against Columbus. The fourth-line was arguably the second best line for the Leafs.

Clifford was a huge reason for that success because he wasn’t afraid to hit anyone and worked harder than almost any other Leaf every shift he had.

Just look at the hit in the Tweet above. I’m not saying the Leafs won this game because of Clifford’s hit, but they definitely didn’t lose it because of this.

It’s a moment like this where Clifford can deliver and give his teammates a spark during a playoff game.

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