5 Players the Toronto Maple Leafs Shouldn't Bring Back Next Season

Noah Gregor

Noah Gregor had a very impressive training camp and pre-season with the Leafs.

He was taking part in training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract while trying to earn a spot on the main roster. He played well enough to earn his one-year deal worth $775,000. However, since then, Gregor has been almost invisible.

Gregor has five goals and six assists for 11 points in 57 games. He is playing mostly a fourth-line role while averaging 11:27 minutes of ice time. Gregor has 21 blocked shots and 137 hits, along with 16 takeaways compared to 13 giveaways. The 137 hits in 57 games are impressive, but the Leafs need more, and Gregor is not giving it to them.

His low salary cap hit is one of the reasons why he is still playing regularly. Looking ahead, I think the Leafs already went out and acquired Gregor's replacement in Connor Dewar.

Dewar and Gregor are both pending RFAs this off-season. Treliving would be wise to re-sign only one of them, and I think the better fit is Dewar.

I will save on passing final judgment on either player until I see how each performs in the playoffs. The bottom six will be crucial for the Leafs in the playoffs.

Gregor's defensive play and penalty-killing ability will need to be noticeable. Otherwise, he has no real use on the Leafs.