The Top 5 Positive Surprises This Season for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 5 Positive Surprises

Number 5: Noah Gregor

Noah Gregor arrived at Leafs training camp with no contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving signed Gregor to a professional tryout (PTO) to compete for a roster spot. Gregor impressed Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe enough that Treliving signed Gregor to a one-year deal worth $775,000 on October 10th, 2023. (Salary cap info from capfriendly.com)

Before signing with the Leafs, Gregor spent four seasons with the San Jose Sharks. During his time with the Sharks, Gregor registered 26 goals and 25 assists for 51 points in 178 games. He also averaged 13 minutes of ice time while recording 312 hits, 108 blocked shots, 70 takeaways, and 37 giveaways over four seasons. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Since joining the Leafs, Gregor has played in all 37 games while averaging just over 11 minutes a game. He has five goals and two assists for seven points. Gregor also has 63 hits, 16 blocked shots, nine takeaways, and seven giveaways.

Gregor has been a positive surprise for Leafs bottom-six and penalty-killing. While short-handed, he has three takeaways and zero giveaways.

The Leafs like having his speed on the penalty kill. He does a lot of the little things well, and those little things go undetected sometimes. He is on pace for 15 points this season, which is good for a player who mostly plays on the fourth line. His style of play will be an asset come playoff time.