The Toronto Maple Leafs have steadfastly refused to make one obvious - and free - move that will add scoring, grit and size to their playoff roster.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a prospect on their AHL team - the Toronto Marlies - who is on pace for 59 goals this season, and who is tearing up the AHL while the NHL team struggles to score.
The Leafs are 12th in NHL in 5v5 scoring per minute, which means there's room for improvement. They have no third-line centre - Domi needs too much sheltering and Scott Laughton is the most expensive fourth liner of all-time.
But the Marlies have a 6' 202 LBS centre on pace for 59 goals. Why isn't he in the NHL? (stats naturalstattrick.com).
Maple Leafs continue to make a roster error that could cost them their season
There is no reason to not have Steeves in the lineup. If we could have the power of omniscience for just an hour, I would bet any money that we would then objectively know what the stupidest thing any NHL team is currently doing is keeping Alex Steeves in the minors.
The Leafs are not a power-house that can't stop winning. There is no danger that Steeves disrupts a precarious balance of team chemistry. The Leafs aren't a top scoring team - there is simply no excuse for ignoring a guy pacing 60 goals.
In seven games with the Leafs this year, Steeves has scored at a 5v5 rate the same as Matthew Knies, who plays 100% of his minutes with two of the best players alive. He is over 50% xGoals.
Look, I realize that before this season Alex Steeves wasn't even on the top prospect radar. I realize he might be getting very lucky and not have much future as a scorer in the NHL. But maybe he isn't getting lucky. Maybe he's the rare pro athlete who found another gear in his mid-twenties.
Certainly a 27 year-old backup outfielder named Jose Bautista was an unlikely superstar and future MVP candidate, but it happened. The world of sports is filled with crazy stories and Alex Steeves might just be the next crazy story.
But the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have to call him up to make it happen. The Leafs are a good team, but they could certainly use a gritty centre with a scoring touch. Alex Steeves should already be a permanent part of this lineup - I'd play him ahead of Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson at this point.