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Dakota Joshua Eyes Redemption in Second Chance With the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Six years after the Toronto Maple Leafs traded him away, Dakota Joshua is back - and with a point to prove.
After acquiring Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks, a move that had gone a bit under the radar with other, more larger moves, the Toronto Maple Leafs hope that Dakota Joshua is a promising player who can replicate the skills that has made him successful in the NHL in past years.
Joshua, 29, missed the early part of last season after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer which was detected during the offseason, limited to just 57 games and having just 14 points in that time, down from 32 points in 63 games the season prior.
This upcoming season could make the acquisition a sneaky underrated add that does a lot of good for the Toronto Maple Leafs' chances.
What Dakota Joshua Brings to the Leafs This Time Around
The trade for Joshua is one that the Leafs are hoping they'll get the 2023-24 Dakota Joshua that was at full health, not just a player who has some offense to his game in a bottom-six role, but also a highly physical winger who is one of the most dominant hitters in the game.
Dakota Joshua spoke to 'The Leafs Nation' and their podcast, "Leafs Morning Take", outlining what fans can expect from him as a player.
like to think that I can do a little bit of everything. A big part of my game is getting in on the forecheck and being disruptive, but also providing a physical presence.....I believe in myself that I can score too, so I feel like I add a little bit of everything. Somebody that can play up and down the lineup and in all situations.
There seems to be the belief from Joshua that his game is still highly versatile and at the least he can still be an engaged physical presence who provides energy to a team and play a defensively responsible role on the wing.
It will be necessary for Toronto to have some defensive reliability with Pontus Holmberg gone and the potential that David Kämpf could be traded.
Having a physically imposing presence in Joshua, with also the ability for him to rebound as a two-way forward at proper healthy, would be a big plus for the Leafs heading into this season.
Why This Reunion Could Be Career-Defining
Dakota Joshua has shown how effective he can be in a team's bottom-six when healthy, last season was a step down that is explainable with a serious medical scare that didn't make a return easy.
Getting a hard working player with an edge like Joshua is the type of player Brsd Treliving covets, and a reunion with a former coach in Craig Berube could go a long way in sparking his confidence on the ice.
If they get the Dakota Joshua who is a proven high effort player who plays hard and wants to win, he could be just what the Toronto Maple Leafs need in their lineup, especially in tough moments.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 30 | 806 ANSWERS Dakota Joshua Eyes Redemption in Second Chance With the Toronto Maple Leafs Will Dakota Joshua bounce back in Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 727 | 90.2 % |
| No | 79 | 9.8 % |
| List of polls | ||