Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp: Positional Battles to Watch
As the Toronto Maple Leafs start their 2021 training camp, they have many forwards fighting for roster spots. This group includes Joshua Ho-Sang and Nikita Gusev, who are at camp on Professional Tryout (PTO) contracts.
These two players are not only trying to earn a spot on the roster, but they’re also trying to earn a contract. Both Ho-Sang and Gusev will need to out preform a handful of players if they are to succeed.
It will not be an easy task and that is a good thing. They are part of a long list of question marks the Leafs have entering into training camp. Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe and his staff will very busy.
Some other noticeable newcomers trying to make the main roster are Ondrej Kase and Kurtis Gabriel. Both signed as unrestricted free agents in the off-season. Here is a look at where Ho-Sang, Gusev, and the others trying to earn a spot.
Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Battles – RW
Ondrej Kase
Kase would like to forget about his time with the Boston Bruins and begin with a clean slate in Toronto. While he was with the Bruins for parts of two seasons, Kase only played in nine games due to injuries. (all Stats: Hockey-Reference.com)
Toronto is hoping that Kase can stay healthy and get back to the level of playing that he displayed with the Anaheim Ducks. If he has a good training camp and can stay healthy, Kase has a lot of talent, so a breakout season is not impossible, if unlikely.
Joshua Ho-Sang
Ho-Sang played 53 games with the New York Islanders over three seasons between 2016 – 2019. After having back-to-back seasons with more than 80 points in the OHL, Ho-Sang just hasn’t been able to find his game at the NHL level.
Since his 2018-19 season, Ho-Sang has played in both the AHL and SHL, but has only managed to play a total of 31 games. That lack of playing time could hurt him as he battles against players who are more up to speed. He’s a long shot with a high ceiling and there’s no risk in giving him a shot.
Kurtis Gabriel
Gabriel will be looking to try and become Toronto’s fourth line right winger or at the very least, the team’s extra forward. He’s big (6’4 – 200 Lbs.), tough, and not afraid to drop the gloves.
With Gabriel in the lineup, the Toronto Maple Leafs won’t have to rely on Wayne Simmonds doing all the fighting. I do not see Gabriel being a regular in the lineup, but if he is the team’s extra forward, he’ll get playing time against some of the NHL’s tougher teams.
Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Battles – LW
Pierre Engvall
Pierre Engvall has played in 90 games over two seasons for Toronto. He has spent the majority of his time on the fourth line with extra playing time on the penalty kill. Due to his limited role on the team, he has only produced 27 points in those 90 games.
If he lands a permanent roster spot and stays healthy all season, he will likely get you around 20 points. He might have to start the season with the Marlies if another player with more offensive upside has a better training camp.
Nikita Gusev
Just like Ho-Sang, Gusev is at training camp on a PTO and looking to prove himself. His playing time last season was split between the New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers. He scored just 10 points in 31 games last season.
That is a drastic drop from the 44 points in 66 games he had back in the 2019-20 season. Gusev will be coming into training camp looking to recapture his scoring touch and earn a contract with the Maple Leafs.
Ilya Mikheyev
During the off-season, Ilya Mikheyev requested a trade because he was dissatisfied with the playing time he was given. Toronto rejected the request and told Mikheyev that they believe in him, but he needs to produce points if he wants to earn more playing time.
With Michael Bunting and Nick Ritchie added to Toronto’s left wing this off-season, Mikheyev will need to have a really good training camp if he wants a spot in the top six. He will also need to out perform Gusev and Engvall just to earn a spot on the third line.
If other players out perform Mikheyev in camp, then he will either start the season on the fourth line, or get his wish and will be traded.
Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Battles – C
Alexander Kerfoot
Alexander Kerfoot has not had the same success in Toronto that he had with the Colorado Avalanche. Kerfoot recorded 85 points in 157 games while playing for the Avalanche. With the Maple Leafs he has recorded 51 points in 121 games.
He did spend some time playing left wing last season and could be moved there permanently if he loses his third line center spot to someone else. Toronto has a few capable centers at training camp.
David Kampf
David Kampf is another new player signed by Toronto during free agency. He was not brought in to supply offense. Kampf is strictly a defensive center who will be used on the third or fourth line.
Kampf will win more faceoffs than he loses and could be a nice addition to the team’s penalty kill. Winning defensive zone faceoffs while short-handed is huge. If Toronto can use both Kampf and Jason Spezza on faceoffs while killing a penalty, they will have a better shot at controlling the puck.
Adam Brooks
Adam Brooks has played in 18 games for the Maple Leafs over the past two seasons. He has recorded eight points for Toronto in those 18 games, but that might not be enough to earn a roster spot.
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Brooks has Spezza, Kerfoot and Kampf ahead of him, so he is a dark horse to make the team out of training camp. having him at camp will help push those other guys which is what the coaching staff will be hoping for.