4 Toronto Maple Leafs That Shouldn’t Be on the Playoff Roster
By Edward Eng
Noah Gregor
Coming into training camp on a professional tryout, Noah Gregor impressed the Leafs brass enough such that he was signed to a one-year contract prior to the start of the 2023-24 regular season.
With a combination of solid speed, a legitimate NHL-calibre shot, and the ability to kill penalties, he was an ideal bottom-six forward for the Leafs heading into the year.
He certainly did not disappoint early on while averaging only about ten minutes a night, Gregor was a force whenever he was on the ice.
Either he was laying out his opponents with bruising hits, or he was contributing on the scoreboard with key goals in opportune times to help the Leafs to victory. In his first 28 games of the season, he potted five goals and tallied two assists for seven points in total. (All stats from hockey-reference.com and naturalstattrick.com)
However, since the middle of December, Gregor has been held goalless and has seen his role progressively reduced quite significantly in the recent couple of months in favour of the more defensively-minded trade deadline acquisition Connor Dewar and the suddenly rejuvenated team enforcer Ryan Reaves.
With a somewhat undefined role heading into the playoffs, it could be enough to spell Gregor from the active roster when the postseason starts.
His numbers aren't good, and the Leafs have clearly established better options. He's a useful depth piece, but like Jones, if you see him in the playoffs it is going to be a clear indication that things are not going well.