3 Toronto Maple Leafs Who Have Not Earned Playoff Ice Time

Zach Aston-Reese

Matthew Knies signed with the Leafs yesterday, and his offensive upside is going to make it hard for Aston-Reese to keep his hold as a regular.  If Knies is anything but horrible, he likely gets a chance to play in the playoffs.  His upside can give the Leafs scoring depth they just haven’t had in the past.  No guarantees that Knies is good,  but Reese looses his minutes anyways and doesn’t score very much.

If Matthew Knies can’t help the Leafs this spring, there is also Bobby McMann.

McMann has scored at a torrid pace in the AHL this year (21 goals in his last 21 games before being injured two weeks ago).  While he is currently injured, if he returns soon he is an option that provides scoring that ZAR just can’t match.

If you don’t like either of these options, Nick Abruzzese has performed great when given a chance and could help the Leafs.  He has a 59% Expected Goals in his two games.  Small sample, but still…

There is also Wayne Simmonds, who provides an element the Leafs value and is no worse than Aston-Reese.

Finally, Pontus Holmberg is a great option, and, unlike Aston-Reese, he also plays centre. Other than Kampf, who plays some pretty tough minutes, Aston-Reese is the only Leafs regular who loses his minutes.

He is under 50% in real goals and Xgoals, and the Leafs do not have a positive possession rating when he is on the ice.

Aston-Reese is a good depth player, but the Leafs have better options in Knies, McMann (if healthy), Holmberg, Simmonds and Abruzzese.