4 options for the Toronto Maple Leafs to replace Nick Robertson
The Toronto Maple Leafs could look internally to fix their left-wing problem
The Toronto Maple Leafs need to upgrade their left-wing position, but may be able to do it internally.
As much as the Toronto Maple Leafs roster looks the same from last season, it's unfortunately worse, as they're missing their first-line left-winger, Tyler Bertuzzi. Although Bertuzzi didn't score a ton of goals last year, his advanced stats and play driving were increidbly strong and the Leafs are much worse without him.
His start was brual, but he was completely snakebitten. It felt like he had a number of great chances every night, but the puck didn't bounce his way and that's how it goes some years. There's a world where Bertuzzi scores 30 goals last year if things go the right way, but we don't need to look backwards because he's now a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
As for the Leafs current top-six at the left-wing position, Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann are currently locked in there. Knies had a good rookie season and gelled well as that hard-worker in the corner on every shift beside Auston Matthews, so he should continue to stay there, but who knows what will happen with McMann.
The team re-signed him to a two-year deal after a hot-start that kept him up with the Leafs for the remainder of the year, but we only saw 56 NHL games from him last season. During that tenure last year, he did score 15 goals, but seven of those goals came in a five-game stretch from February 13-21st, so within the other 51 games, he was only able to score eight goals.
McMann seems to find hot-streaks, which pad his stats, so if he goes 10 games without a goal playing in the top-six, I could see him getting summoned to the fourth line or even worse, being sent down to the AHL, again.
As a result, the Leafs need to find left-wing help somewhere, but fortunately for them it could be internally. Here are four internal left-wing options.
No. 1: Alex Nylander
I know there's probably a 1 percent chance of this happening, but imagine Alex made the NHL roster, played alongside William and they turned into the modern-day Sedin Twins? It would turn out to be one of the greatest bargain signings ever and would be an amazing story for the season.
It's probably not going to happen, but I believe it's worth a shot in the preseason. If Alex is going to succeed in the NHL, playing him alongside his brother gives him the greatest opportunity to do so. In 121 NHL games, Nylander has 25 goals and 49 points, but unfortunately has already played on four rosters.
After being the No. 8 overall pick in 2016, I think many people projected that he'd be as talented as his brother, but that never transpired. I know the AHL is a different league than the NHL but Nylander has proved that he can be very effective in the minors, so I do think he's worth another look at the NHL.
Not only that, but he found a groove with Columbus near the end of last season, finishing with 11 goals in 23 games, so maybe he's a late-bloomer. At this point in his career, if it doesn't work with the Leafs this year, it's tough to say that another team will give him a chance. I'm not saying it's a lock to happen, but I think there's more than a 50/50 chance that Alex and William are playing on the same line on opening night this year.
No. 2: Alex Steeves
The Leafs recently resigned Alex Steeves, which means he could be due for a big year in the NHL this upcoming season. Having only played seven career NHL games, Steeves is looking to follow up his incredible AHL season by potentially serving as a Leafs full-time left-winger this year.
The 24-year-old scored 27 goals in the AHL last year and is arguably the team's most-ready NHL player. In three AHL seasons, he's proven that he can be a top-line player in that league and is ready for the next step.
This will be a huge training camp for Steeves though, as the competition is fierce at wing and centre.
Based on Max Domi, David Kampf and/or Pontus Holmberg most likely filling the third or fourth-line centre positions, the best way for Steeves to make the roster is through left-wing. He's essentially had three consecutive 20-goal seasons (scored 19 goals in 65 games in 2022-23) at the AHL level, so he's got some great offensive skills that could work well in the team's top-six.
If he can show that amount of skill playing in the AHL, imagine what he may be able to do alongside the Leafs future Hall-of-Famers? Even in those seven NHL games he's been called up for, he's essentially been summoned to the fourth-line, but there's a possibility if things go right that he could beat out McMann for that second line wing position
No. 4: Easton Cowan
Not only did Easton Cowan win the OHL Championship with the London Knights, but he was their best player, winning the playoff MVP.
This isn't a nothing award, as other future NHLers such as Mitch Marner, Connor McDavid, Nick Suzuki, Robert Thomas, Robby Fabbri and Bo Horvat have won it in recent history. Essentially if you win that award, there's a 90 percent chance that you're going to turn into a real star in the NHL, so the Leafs may have hit the jackpot with the No. 28 overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Cowan was a right-winger in junior, but he does shoot left, meaning that there's a strong possibility that he can step in and play at that position in the NHL. Based on the Leafs needs, it would make the most sense for him to play that side and be able to play with some high-end talent. Can you imagine if the team put him alongside John Tavares and Marner? They could have three former London Knights on one line who could do a ton of damage together.
As much as Cowan can't accomplish anything more in the OHL this year, it does feel like he's the longest shot to make the roster. At 19-years-old, he's still a very young player, but if he can have a big training camp, similar to Fraser Minten last year, I don't see why the Leafs wouldn't audition him for the first nine games.
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I'd rather see him falter a little bit, but develop, playing in the NHL, versus dominating a league that he's better than every other player, so the Leafs should seriously give him a look. If Cowan can prove himself and is NHL ready, he'll give the Leafs the best chance to win next year.