Former Leafs forward lands a new NHL deal after breakout season away from Toronto
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Boston has taken advantage of Alex Steeves' breakout season and have rewarded him with an extension after finally showcasing his NHL talent by leaving Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a slew of roster changes this season which involved familiar faces being shipped out or left to sign elsewhere.
Alex Steeves was one of those players and he quickly signed a one-year deal with the Boston Bruins as he tried to show that he was worthy of an NHL job after being unable to secure one in Toronto.
Alex Steeves finally earns his 'big' NHL contract
Well he's absolutely crushed it this season and the Bruins have rewarded him quite nicely as they announced on Wednesday they have extended Steeves for two more years:
It's worth a yearly salary of $1.625-million; a much bigger payday than Steeves had received previously though it's for good reason.
In 33 games with the Bruins he has 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) and has been a versatile forward for Boston, being able to slot into the first line or the fourth and still succeed.
Toronto let down Alex Steeves by never giving him a true chance
Steeves never got hit shot in Toronto although he was actually one of the most successful -- if not the most successful Toronto Marlies players of all-time.
In 247 games, he posted 216 points (105 goals, 111 assists) and ranks first all-time in points and goals, and fifth in assists with the Marlies. However he only skated in 14 games in total for the Maple Leafs and recorded three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
While the money isn't mind-blowing, it's the biggest contract he's signed both in terms of total money and AAV and deserves every penny for what he's done in Boston along with former Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten.
Whenever the team needed a spark, they never really called upon Steeves even though he was consistently one of the best players in their system at the time. We don't know why he wasn't given a shot but it's been obvious this season that he has the talent.
But as Toronto deals with regretfully letting him go, their rivals in Boston are more than happy to keep him in town for the next couple years.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 21|611 ANSWERS Former Leafs forward lands a new NHL deal after breakout season away from Toronto Did Toronto make a mistake letting Alex Steeves go? | ||
| Yes | 446 | 73 % |
| No | 165 | 27 % |
| List of polls | ||