Toronto Maple Leafs: Josh Ho-Sang Has A Slight Edge Over Nikita Gusev

Joshua Ho-Sang and Nikita Gusev are both at Toronto Maple Leafs training camp on a professional tryout (PTO). Although the team is still in the early stages of training camp and preseason play, Ho-Sang appears to have an edge over Gusev.

Both players have only played in one preseason game thus far, but Ho-Sang seems to be much more engaged. Ho-Sang had three shots during the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 win over Montreal on Saturday. Gusev, on the other hand, registered just one shot in the team’s 5-2 loss to Montreal on Monday.

Going into training camp, one would have assumed that Gusev would hold the edge over Ho-Sang due to more NHL experience. Ho-Sang has not played in the NHL since the 2018-19 season and has only played a total of 53 NHL games. Gusev has played a total of 97 NHL games, with 31 of those games being played just last season. (Stats from: Hockey-Reference.com)

The Toronto Maple Leafs will play their next preseason game on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. If Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe is going with a one-game-on, one-game-off approach, then Ho-Sang will be playing his second preseason game.

Toronto Maple Leafs Have A Better Shot At Signing Ho-Sang

If Ho-Sang can continue to outperform Gusev, then he is likely to be the only player at camp with on a PTO to get signed. One thing that makes him more appealing is his willingness to start the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Marlies.

For Gusev it’s either a roster spot with the Maple Leafs or nothing. As of right now he hasn’t outperformed any of the other bubble players, so he’s not doing himself any favors.

Signing Ho-Sang to a one year two-way contract could work out great for both the team and the player. Ho-Sang will get plenty of playing time with the Marlies if he doesn’t make Toronto’s main roster out of camp, and the Toronto Maple Leafs get some added depth at a low cost.

Ho-Sang could still earn a spot on the main roster by the time training camp is over, but if he is signed, it will likely be a two-way deal, and he will start the season in the AHL.

Having Ho-sang and Gusev at training camp provides more competition for the other bubble players trying to earn a spot. It forces them all to try and play at 110%, which over time weeds out those that are not ready.

There are so many question marks for the Maple Leafs bottom six, so it will be interesting to see what the final roster looks like by the home opener on October 13th.