Maple Leafs place former NCAA standout Alex Steeves on waivers

With the 2024-2025 regular season quickly approaching, rosters from all teams are being narrowed down as they look to gather the best teams possible as they journey towards the Stanley Cup. This unfortunately means that many players who are on the cusp of breaking out or being able to showcase their talent get passed over, demoted, traded, or released. Alex Steeves became one of those victims on Friday, ending a once-promising future with the Maple Leafs, at least for the start of the season.

It's unlucky for Steeves who after a very solid NCAA career playing for Notre Dame, translated that into a contract with the Maple Leafs. In his three years at Notre Dame he scored 33 goals and 36 assists in 104 games, but blew up when he became a member of the Marlies.

In his first season he scored 23 goals and 23 assists; adding 46 goals and 62 assists in the following two seasons including 27 goals last year for Toronto. He played seven games for the Maple Leafs in his career, scoring his first and only assist on a Pierre Engvall goal. Never really getting a chance to break out, Steeves was seen as someone who Toronto could end up losing, but was seen often in preseason games and among the last round of cuts at camp.

For what it's worth, Steeves tried to do his part for the team and even opened the scoring in Toronto's preseason game against Ottawa. He always showed heart and throughout the last few camps has been a bright spot for the Maple Leafs, contributing 6 points in five games, not too shabby for someone who's only played in a handful of NHL games and is primarily an AHLer. He's still young at 24, and if he can gain a little bit of extra muscle he could find himself back with Toronto soon enough should he clear waivers.

It's an unfortunate end to the hopes of Alex Steeves making the 2024-2025 roster, and it's a shame. He's talented and has been one of the best and most consistent players for Toronto's minor league affiliate; it should be his time but it's not; though if he clears waivers and plays well for the Marlies as would be expected:

There's always next year.