The Toronto Maple Leafs could get back a little of the physicality lost with Matthew Knies' departure by adding a young, physical forward off waivers.
Losing Matthew Knies hurt the Maple Leafs more than just on the scoresheet, as he provided a physical presence and someone who could set the tone.
He's been shipped out and as the team looks to add more physicality, they are eyeing additions like Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger, Nick Paul, and Colton Sissons to start becoming a bit more of an intimidating presence on the ice.
Toronto should target Patrick Giles as a waiver claim
However, if the team wanted to add that physicality while also getting young, and perhaps bring some more toughness to the bottom six, then they should grafter recently waived forward Patrick Giles, who hit waivers on Sunday.
The Boston College product is a 6-foot-5, 220-pound monster who brings an intimidation factor to the ice. He's got some scoring chops as he had 24 points in 67 games with the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL last season; he has two points and 24 hits in 20 games so far in his young career.
Giles would be a person who could step in for someone like Bo Groulx or Zack MacEwen and add more size to a bottom six that already includes some beefier players. A combination of Duhaime, Blueger, and Giles could provide a great combination of size and speed without sacrificing defence.
Patrick Giles could be a solid depth piece at the AHL and NHL level
He would make for a cheap addition and for a team who has a lot more cap space than they did initially to start the season, he wouldn't really affect their books too much.
Even as an AHL player, he's proven to be successful. If the Maple Leafs are trying to give the Marlies a competitive advantage, then adding Giles into the lineup alongside other hard hitters like Landon Sim, Marc Johnstone, Reese Johnson, and Michael Pezzetta can help set the tone early.
He isn't the flashiest name, and right now the Maple Leafs have a much bigger issue to focus on, that being defensively. They need to make sure they stop any potential bleeding before it gets worse, so Giles may take a back seat temporarily.
But if the Maple Leafs feel like he could be a great addition - and he is - then they will have 24 hours to contemplate things and decide whether or not to pull the trigger.
Do you think that Toronto should claim Patrick Giles off waivers from San Jose?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The Montreal Canadiens' original trade offer for Matthew Knies has been confirmed