Emerging Defenseman Deserves Real Shot at Maple Leafs Roster Next Season
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman William Villeneuve has thrown his name in the conversation as a possible way to inject some youth and offense into the blueline.
Given how different the Maple Leafs are going to look next season, there's one thing that should be brought in to help the team out and that's some offense on the blueline.
Besides Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto lacks a strong puck-moving defenseman at the NHL level. So that's why William Villeneuve stands out as a potential face we could see a lot next season.
William Villeneuve proving to be a key future asset for Maple Leafs
Villeneuve, 23, is a draft pick who has been in the system since being selected in 2020 (122nd overall) and while he didn't play much in his first season, since being a mainstay with the Marlies he's been impressive.
He makes smart decisions with the puck, isn't afraid to take shots (something Toronto's blueline seems to hesitate with at points) and if he can add some muscle to his 6'2, 183-pound frame then he'll be exactly what the Leafs need.
While certainly still needing to work on some facets of his game (skating mainly) there's personnel and development coaches who can help him hone his skills.
Over the last three seasons, he posted 90 points in 163 games (9G, 81A) with 117 PIM and a plus-28 and added two points this year in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Where would William Villeneuve fit in with the Maple Leafs?
He wouldn't be an everyday player, and considering the team has at least five of their top-six locked down for the foreseeable future, it's hard to say definitively where he would end up.
If Craig Berube employed him as a seventh defenseman and used him when he needed to bring in more offense, that could work; and he can easily slide in for Simon Benoit while Ekman-Larsson can handle veteran duties in his own zone.
He would be an improvement offensively over guys like Dakota Mermis, and would cost the same anyways. However he is a restricted free agent, so signing him into a bridge deal for a couple million would be ideal before figuring out his spot.
While he needs to still figure out the defensive side of things in order to flourish at the NHL level, he offers a dynamic the Maple Leafs haven't really had; especially on the back end.
So why not give him a chance? It would certainly change a bit of their DNA, that's for sure.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 373 ANSWERS Emerging Defenseman Deserves Real Shot at Maple Leafs Roster Next Season Do you think William Villeneuve deserves a spot on the Maple Leafs next season? | ||
| Yes | 185 | 49.6 % |
| No | 188 | 50.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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