Leivo strives to earn Leafs’ faith
There’s a silver lining to not becoming a Golden Knight for Josh Leivo.
After four seasons of toil, holding on to hope from the fringes of Toronto’s roster, he’s still part of what should be the most competitive Maple Leafs team in years. While going to the expansion club in Las Vegas might have worked best in the long run, he’d be starting from scratch there with many like- minded forwards on their second, third or perhaps last chance as NHLers.
Instead, Leafs coach Mike Babcock told him in their April exit meeting to keep plugging away this summer, an early signal he’d be protected in the expansion draft.
As Leivo’s 24 th birthday passed, he was indeed on Toronto’s safe list after many thought he’d be exposed and be the Knights’ selection from the Leafs. Vegas took Marlies’ sniper Brendan Leipsic instead.
“You didn’t know what was going to happen at the time, but when they i nformed me they wanted to keep me, it was wonderful to hear,” Leivo said this week during the Leafs informal summer workouts. “They wanted to develop me and keep me on the roster. I’m very excited they gave me that opportunity. I just want to go out this year and prove myself to them.”
Leivo, however, will once again face some daunting obstacles to working his way off the taxi squad. Right wingers William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Connor Brown won’t just give up their spots. That trio, all younger than Leivo, as well as veteran fourth line pest control expert Matt Martin, only missed a total of six regular season games last year. The left side is crowded, too.
But Leivo just never goes away, with 10 points in 13 games last year and a combined 18 points in 41 games since his NHL debut in 201314. That would put him close to 40 points when projected through a full season, hence the attraction for Vegas or perhaps other teams in future trade talks.
The Innisfil, Ont., native gained praise — and even some power play duty — from Babcock when he did get some ice time. But Leivo’s part- time status also sub- jected him to some roster machinations.
Vague injuries and a fivegame conditioning stint with the Marlies that still saw him unable to play upon return were constantly clouding his status. And this year, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov and some Marlies forwards might further intensify the job hunt when it gets to crucial exhibition games next month.
“Young guys are fighting for spots, but I feel it’s like that every year here,” Leivo said. “As you get older, you realize what’s at stake and you want to make the most of the chance. We have a group who built a lot of chemistry last year. Even when I wasn’t playing, they were still great to me and when I got in, I felt like I hadn’t missed a game. Hopefully this season is even better.
“They knew I did well last year and I think Mike was excited to give me another shot.”
BROWN’S NUMBER UP
The numbers have yet to add up f or restricted free agent Connor Brown on a new contract, but he’s shifting upward in sweater digits.
Brown has been sporting a 28 on his helmet during workouts, anticipating he’ll concede 12 to incoming VIP Patrick Marleau, who wore that for many years in San Jose.
“It’s a matter of respect,” Brown said of the 37-year-old Marleau’s seniority.
Is there to be the tradi tional gift exchange on Marleau’s part for Brown’s gesture?
“We’ll be talking,” laughed Brown, adding that 28 was his number with the OHL Erie Otters.