Analyst Pushes for Under-the-Radar Speedster Signing to Shake Up Maple Leafs Camp
Photo credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could bring in a speedy veteran winger to their ranks this training camp and see if he can help their offense this upcoming season according to analyst Edward Eng.
It's no secret at all that Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs need to add some additional help to their lineup in order to replace Mitch Marner; which while a Herculean task, is possible with everyone playing their part.
The team doesn't have a lot of space to work with though, both financially and in terms of roster space, so until they figure out a deal, they may be out of luck.
But it isn't completely hopeless for the team however, as they can go the PTO route and take a look at a few smaller free agents who could play well enough to earn a spot much like Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz did a year prior.
Speed and Versatility Are Rare at This Price Point
One name that the Maple Leafs should take a flier on is former 30-goal scorer Andreas Athanasiou, who remains unsigned but is looking to bounce back in 2025-26.
His name was brought up by analyst Edward Eng, and he explained why the Leafs should look at him:
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.
The Leafs could provide him with that exact chance to show what he can do again on a PTO.
The Leafs could provide him with that exact chance to show what he can do again on a PTO.
Athanasiou, 31, is a Woodbridge, Ontario native so he'd essentially be coming back home, and while he struggled with the Blackhawks last season, he's got the resume to help out in a smaller role.
In his 495 career games, he's registered 246 points (128 goals, 118 assists) and includes the aforementioned 30-goal season, as well as a 20-goal campaign in 2022-23.
He also offers a lot of flexibility, being able to play both wing and center, can win face-offs, is a solid defender, and is surprisingly clutch with 20 game-winners and he's got some serious wheels on him.
Depth Scoring Could Make or Break the Leafs' Season
He's the type of player who can quietly add a dozen goals, while also being dependable although there are some concerns about his health.
Athanasiou has missed a lot of time over the last few seasons, with a laundry list of ailments that kept him out of the lineup.
But it's why a PTO makes the most sense, because it gives Athanasiou a chance to bounce back and show not only the Leafs, but other teams that he still is able to contribute, and gives Toronto a chance to see if they can add some scoring on the cheap.
It's a chance Toronto needs to take too, because there's no guarantees that Bobby McMann will hit 20 goals, and there's always the inconsistent Nick Robertson and Max Domi hanging about.
Adding a veteran with the scoring resume of Athanasiou should be creeping up Brad Treliving's priority list this summer.
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