The Toronto Maple Leafs preseason is in full swing. With about two weeks into training camp and three preseason games in the books, three players emerge as potentially on the bubble.
These players currently face competition from all sides, especially when considering the team’s offseason additions.
As such, these Leafs will need to stand out throughout the rest of training camp and preseason contests to cement their place on the team.
So, let’s take a look at three Toronto Maple Leafs players who could be on the bubble.
3 Toronto Maple Leafs potentially on the bubble this preseason
Ryan Reaves
Reaves’ name on this list is no surprise. He’s a one-dimensional throwback to a time in which the enforcer role was a key piece of NHL teams. Reaves would have been a huge star roughly 30 years ago, when bullies like Bob Probert terrorised opponents.
However, the NHL is much different today. Reaves, the New York Islanders’ Matt Martin of the Philadelphia Flyers’ Nic Deslauriers are a dying breed. Thus, could the Leafs justify having Reaves in the fold even if it costs about a million and a half against the cap?
It’s hard to see Reaves not being on the opening night roster. However, a million-plus for a 13th forward may be too rich for the Toronto Maple Leafs current salary cap construction.
Timothy Liljegren
The Toronto Maple Leafs committed to keeping Timothy Liljegren by signing him to a two-year extension this summer, but that doesn't mean he couldn't get traded.
The deal was smart. Liljegren is a solid blueliner who worked his tail off this summer to add bulk. Liljegren, like plenty of other Leafs wanted to be physically ready for Craig Berube’s hard-nosed approach.
However, Liljegren was potentially shoved down the depth chart by the additions of Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Though, that said even if he initially loses ice-time to OEL, he is a much better player at this point in his career, so he should be able to establish himself in the top four without too much trouble, provided he can earn the trust of the new coach.
The Leafs could potentially decide to move Liljegren if he doesn't nail down a top-four spot, but he's a good puck mover on a team that dresses Jake McCabe and Simon Benoit, and he is a right-handed shot, so they are likely going to give him every opportunity to stick.
Nick Robertson
Robertson seemed like a shoe-in for one of the four left-wing spots this season. However, Max Pacioretty’s game one performance raised a few eyebrows, but so did Robertson's performance last night in a game where Pacioretty was fairly bad. Sure, it’s still early in camp, but Pacioretty could be making a case to play middle-six minutes.
With Matthew Knies looking like stud, and the worker bee Bobby McMann zipping around like a racecar, where does Robertson fit?
Ultimately, Robertson is arguably the player who has the most to prove. So far, he looks determined to do it. He’ll need to keep that up if he’s to parlay that effort into a permanent lineup spot this season.