The Toronto Maple Leafs could still use an upgrade on forward and should look at some low-risk, high-reward signings.
The Maple Leafs could use an upgrade in the top-six, but all those players have already signed. However, Toronto could look at signing a potential bounce-back candidate who once was a 30-goal scorer.
NHL analyst Edward Eng of EditorinLeaf urges the Maple Leafs to sign Andreas Athanasiou to a professional tryout and compete for a roster spot.
“Athanasiou still only three years removed from his 2022-23 season with the Chicago Blackhawks in which he managed to post 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points,” Eng wrote. “As a result, he is still more than capable at providing valuable secondary scoring to any contender.
“Having spent the bulk of his 2024-25 campaign buried in the minors by the Blackhawks, Athanasiou should welcome the opportunity to get his career back on track after just turning the still young age of 31,” Eng added. “The Leafs could provide him with that exact chance to show what he can do again on a PTO.”
Athanasiou skated in just 8 games last season in the NHL. But, in the 2018-19 season, he had 30 goals with the Detroit Red Wings before injuries hindered his career.
Athanasiou can play center or left wing and add some secondary scoring. It would also be a low-risk move, as if he proves he can stay healthy, he has what it takes to be a solid scoring forward.
Athanasiou Has Proven he can be an Effective NHLer
If Toronto does sign Athanasiou, it could be a low-risk, high-reward move.
Athanasiou has proven he can be a top-six forward in the NHL in his career, before injuries derailed his career. However, if he stays healthy, he could be worth a shot, as Eng believes he can be a top-six winger for the Maple Leafs.
“It wasn’t too long ago when Andreas Athanasiou appeared to be on his way to become a legitimate star in the NHL following his 30-goal, 54-point campaign with the Detroit Red Wings back during the 2018-19 season. However, the COVID pandemic, along with a string of undisclosed injuries ultimately derailed his once-promising career,” Eng added.
Athanasiou was selected 110th overall in the 2012 NHL draft. In his NHL career, he’s skated in 495 games, recording 128 goals and 118 assists for 246 points. His career high is 30 goals and 54 assists, which would be good for a second or third-line player for the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs Need Forward Help
Toronto saw Mitch Marner leave this offseason, which was a tough loss to the offense.
With that, the Maple Leafs still need to replace him, which is the goal, according to GM Brad Treliving.
“When a player of Mitch’s magnitude moves away, that’s never a fun day… In a situation where a player was walking away this morning for nothing, we were able to recoup a player that fits a need for us… Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
As of right now, the Maple Leafs haven’t added a true first-line player so Toronto could still be exploring the market.
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