Maple Leafs Could Target Familiar Scoring Weapon for Training Camp Tryout
Photo credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could look to add a veteran scoring punch on a PTO this training camp, and give the team even more depth with a very impressive resume.
With Brad Treliving doing what he can to add as many bodies as possible to the team, it seems there's a bit of a logjam up front, but there's enough time for players to move and open up both cap and roster space.
It's going to be difficult to flat out sign someone however, and with only $1.92-million in space available, the list becomes slimmer and slimmer. There is some hope though, as Toronto can utilize a PTO to grab one or two players and see if they can add anything to the team this season.
One name we touched on already is Andreas Athanasiou, but another that sticks out is Craig Smith, who the Leafs will know very well from his time with the Bruins.
Why Craig Smith Could Still Bring Value to the Maple Leafs
Yes, Smith is older and will turn 36 before the season kicks off, but he's got quite the resume over his 14-year career, and remains only 13 games away from the illustrious 1,000 mark.
In 987 games, Smith has 452 points (220 goals, 232 assists) which includes nine-straight double-digit goal season, and he has five 20+ goal seasons to his name.
But it's not just offense he can bring, as he's very solid defensively, can win you face-offs in a pinch, doesn't take bad penalties, and fits the big boy mould at 6'1, 203 pounds; he's also got 23 points in 83 playoff games (9 goals, 14 assists).
How a PTO Signing Could Impact Toronto's Roster Battles
Toronto had success with PTO's before with Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz, the latter translating his solid work in 2024-25 into a three-year extension, and with a lack of space it's a great way to at least gauge who might be a sneaky addition.
It also gives Smith a chance to showcase what he has left after a couple of struggling seasons and bouncing around teams. He wasn't played that much over his last few years, being utilized as a depth forward who can come in and score a bit and add some defense.
Plus, these PTO signings always seem to bring the fire out of prospective hopefuls at training camp, knowing that their chance to make the team got even harder; so it may push some players to overachieve and perhaps take a spot away.
It's worth taking a shot to see exactly what Smith can bring, especially as a center. Think of it like the Pacioretty signing from last season; a redemption story.
If they aren't going to bring him back, maybe Craig Smith can step in as the veteran leader down low.
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