Maple Leafs May Have a 'Hidden' Signing Option Thanks to Former Hire
Photo credit: Harvard Crimson Men's Ice Hockey
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a potential signing option with a connection that could compel the team to make a deal and bring in a former Harvard defenseman.
Toronto has a lack of prospect depth in their system, and are looking to add players who could one day be contributors to the lineup eventually in the future.
Another area the Leafs are in need for are prospects who are able to play at the pro level right away. Topi Niemela had left the Marlies to sign in Sweden, and many of their top prospects will being playing outside the North American pro level.
At defense, the Leafs top prospects Ben Danford and Noah Chadwick will be playing in the CHL, and Victor Johansson will likely spend a few years in Sweden developing.
Regardless of upside, Toronto would like to have players who can contribute to their farm system, and they could have a player who is available to be signed, and a potential minor league depth add.
Former Harvard Captain Could Be Player Of Interest For Leafs
One player who was recently let go of for free but could find a pro deal somewhere is 6'2 right-handed defenseman Jack Bar.
Bar, who had spent part four seasons at Harvard University, is a stay-at-home defenseman who can break up plays and be physical while being a solid skater. Bar was named one of Harvard's captain last season.
What kept Bar from gaining a contract with the Stars was a lack of offense. Bar had an unimpressive 20 points across his four years in college, with a career worst three points as a senior.
While his defensive game had improved, the production wasn't that of a potential NHLer.
Most seem to think that while Bar plays a translatable style of hockey, he'll likely be a minor leaguer rather than an NHL prospect, but could still find a contract somewhere if even not with an NHL franchise.
Could The Toronto Maple Leafs Be Of Interest For Jack Bar
The Leafs currently have 45 players under contract out of the maximum of 50, and have a few key prospects still unsigned such as Tyler Hopkins and Victor Johansson, which means Toronto will have to be careful in giving out contracts, but for a potential AHL option, Bar could be of interest.
One point of note that could sway some influence is Jack Bar having been drafted by current Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Leach back when he was a scout for the Dallas Stars.
Bar also played with Leafs prospect Joe Miller both in the USHL with the Chicago Steel and together at Harvard, signaling a potential Leafs connection for scouts who would have been keeping an eye on Miller to have seen Bar play.
While Jack Bar is a player who could go on to harbor a solid pro career somewhere, he could potentially offer teams a reliable defensive defenseman who has shown flashes he can be better.
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