Maple Leafs' Under-the-Radar Addition Could Become Offseason's Biggest Steal
Photo credit: Rob Wallator - Red Deer Rebels
The Maple Leafs added Ben King on an AHL deal, and while it wasn't a move that should excite fans, a look into his career shows he could be a very valuable asset.
When news broke that the Maple Leafs had signed a slew of free agents to AHL contracts, not much was thought about it.
The five signed: Nick Rheaume, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Marko Sikic, Ryan McCleary and Ryan McCleary are all expected to help the Toronto Marlies after losing a few of their roster members this summer.
Of the five, only one name stands out regarding both experience and the fact that he could make a serious statement at some point, and that's Ben King.
While he only signed a one-year deal, he has 125 AHL games under his belt, and has been a solid contributor for both the Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets AHL affiliates.
Stand by him: Why Ben King can make an impact for the Maple Leafs
But looking a bit more into King shows that what he brings to the table, it shows that he might have an easier chance of making it over his fellow signees, and perhaps some of the other Marlies players as well.
Drafted 107th overall by the Ducks in 2022, King was a standout forward during his time in the WHL, scoring 106 goals and 240 points over 236 games including a 52-goal outburst with Red Deer in 2021-22.
He hasn't hit that level of goal-scoring prowess but he's still managed 56 points in 125 games (27 goals, 29 assists) and has been a solid power play contributor as well.
King's potential is music to Brad Treliving's ears
With the Maple Leafs losing out on Alex Steeves and Nick Abruzzese, King should be given a lot of attention, and if the Maple Leafs wanted to call up someone like Jacob Quillan; King can step in to replace him.
But he could earn the call-up himself given his abilities, and we've seen the Maple Leafs play some younger prospects before with Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin both earning call-ups, as well as Quillan and Steeves briefly.
It never hurts to add as much insurance as possible at both the NHL and AHL level, and the fact that King flew a bit under the radar is surprising, given his track record and age.
But while 31 other teams seemed to miss out on King's potential, the Leafs and Brad Treliving may have found a pretty regal addition to his organization.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 3316 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Under-the-Radar Addition Could Become Offseason's Biggest Steal Do you think Ben King will earn a call-up to the Maple Leafs in 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 1397 | 42.1 % |
| No | 1919 | 57.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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