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Jay Tup on Leafs: Not Guilty. Should Leafs Pursu |
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Not Guilty: Should the Maple Leafs Pursue a Player from the Hockey Canada Scandal?
Today, Justice Maria Carroccia delivered her ruling in the Hockey Canada scandal that rocked the hockey world. With five former NHL players standing trial, the community had a vested interest in the Justice's decision. Her acquittal of all five players on all charges opens a potential path back to the NHL for each of them.
The NHL released a statement today confirming that all five players remain on the league's ineligible list. This is most likely a public relations move and a mere formality. The league has already set a precedent with Patrick Kane and Jake Virtanen, both of whom were immediately reinstated. Failure by the NHL to reinstate these newly acquitted players would likely result in impending legal action from the players themselves.
With the five players putting their legal troubles behind them, the question remains: should the Toronto Maple Leafs consider signing any of them? The Athletic has already reported that some NHL teams have expressed various levels of interest in the "Hockey Canada Five," but will the Leafs? Historically, under Brendan Shanahan, the team shied away from controversy, but will Keith Pelley adopt the same philosophy?
Alex Formenton announced his retirement from professional hockey last season, and his rights are still owned by the Ottawa Senators. Cal Foote struggled to make an NHL roster during his last season, playing in just four games. Dillon Dube, a former member of the Calgary Flames, reportedly misled then-General Manager Brad Treliving about his reason for requesting a leave of absence. These circumstances likely eliminate all three as potential signings in Toronto.
Carter Hart, while an appealing target, has not played professional hockey in nearly two years. Hart will be looking for a significant NHL opportunity, and playing behind Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll is probably not at the top of his wish list. Furthermore, Hart appears to be a perfect fit for the Edmonton Oilers, should he return to the NHL at all.
This leaves Michael McLeod, who could be an ideal fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before being deemed ineligible by the league, McLeod was having a breakout season. In 45 games for the New Jersey Devils, he scored 10 goals and 9 assists, all at even strength. Most impressively, he accomplished this while starting 68.1% of his shifts in the defensive zone.
McLeod delivered 101 hits in those 45 games and played a major role on the Devils' penalty kill. In the faceoff circle, he was winning 65% of his draws. McLeod stayed active by playing in the KHL last season, where he scored 3 goals and added 10 assists in 19 regular-season games before adding 8 points in 9 playoff games.
If the Maple Leafs are willing to face the potential backlash, McLeod could be a perfect fit for their bottom six. Slotting him in as a fourth-line centre would accomplish two things: it would make David Kampf even more expendable and open up the opportunity for Scott Laughton to play on the wing in a higher spot. Moving Laughton to play with either John Tavares and William Nylander or with Dakota Joshua and Nicholas Roy could truly round out the Leafs' lineup.
While it remains to be seen what stance the NHL will take, if the Leafs are willing to roll the dice, they could deepen their lineup to a point where they can truly compete with the likes of the Florida Panthers.
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