Bruce Cassidy Reveals What Nicolas Roy Will Bring to the Maple Leafs, Fans Should Take Notice
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy was on Leafs Morning Take on Tuesday and explained what Toronto is getting in new forward Nicolas Roy.
When the Maple Leafs traded Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, it was a blockbuster deal that ended the nine-year tenure of Marner in blue and white and ended what seems to be a tenuous and strained relationship that got worse as the year went on.
But with Marner in the rearview mirror, all eyes focus on what's new for the Maple Leafs, and a big part of that is going to be who came over in exchange for the former Leafs star, that being Nicolas Roy.
Nicolas Roy ready to shine for Toronto
A tough as nails, defensively sound and a very good playmaker, he's no doubt going to bring exactly what Toronto needs, and while he might not give them 100 points like Marner; he will still bring an offensive punch.
His former head coach is confident he'll do well in Toronto too.
Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy spoke on Leafs Morning Take on Tuesday, and in being asked what the Maple Leafs and their fans can expect from the newcomer, Cassidy was filled with nothing but praise:
First of all, he's a great guy, great team guy. Solid 200-foot player on our team. He was predominantly a fourth-line center because we always had guys ahead of him, but he's capable of more.
Even now, we have [William] Karlsson, [Jack] Eichel, and [Tomas] Hertl; so it's tough to move up. We played Nick on the wing here and there, but I think his best position is center.
A real big part of our penalty kill, he was good in the circle, played on the second unit power play down around the net. He's got skill for a guy who plays down in the lineup, and depending on who you play him with he can adapt his game.
I think he's certainly a guy who could move up in the lineup, whether that happens or not will be up to Chief to see where he best fits.
Even now, we have [William] Karlsson, [Jack] Eichel, and [Tomas] Hertl; so it's tough to move up. We played Nick on the wing here and there, but I think his best position is center.
A real big part of our penalty kill, he was good in the circle, played on the second unit power play down around the net. He's got skill for a guy who plays down in the lineup, and depending on who you play him with he can adapt his game.
I think he's certainly a guy who could move up in the lineup, whether that happens or not will be up to Chief to see where he best fits.
So should Toronto fans really be excited for Roy?
Why Nicolas Roy will surprise fans
Besides bringing another physical force to the Maple Leafs, Roy is going to bring a lot of creativity, hockey IQ and a subtle offensive touch.
In 369 career games, Roy has 166 points (68 goals, 98 assists) with a plus-37, and a very underrated clutch factor; 15 of his 68 goals are game-winners (22%) which is a very solid number considering he was playing so low in the lineup.
His possession numbers are solid across the board, and when it comes to shutting down opponents, Roy is great at keeping them at bay, and isn't often scored on.
Plus his versatility will give him the chance to move up and down, so if Craig Berube wants he could use Scott Laughton as the 3C, move Roy to the wing alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, or could end up making a play as a ridiculously skilled replacement for David Kampf.
Plus he's still only 28, and has a lot of room for improvement, so playing with the type of elite talent he didn't really get to play with in Vegas; he could shock people.
So we just need to leave it to Chief for now, but if we take Cassidy's word?
We're in for a very exciting and motivated Roy.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 9 | 3496 ANSWERS Bruce Cassidy Reveals What Nicolas Roy Will Bring to the Maple Leafs, Fans Should Take Notice Do you think Nicolas Roy is going to have a breakout year with the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 2697 | 77.1 % |
| No | 799 | 22.9 % |
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