Overlooked Leafs forward is proving his NHL worth with his new team

The Toronto Maple Leafs roster's one benefit has been the amount of depth in the system, but for one player who never got much of a chance in Toronto, he's making the most in a new opportunity.

Former Leafs forward Alex Steeves has become a key forward for the Boston Bruins this season with eight goals and 10 points in 21 games this season for Boston.

Steeves, signed as a collegiate free agent by the Leafs, spent four seasons in the organization, but found himself limited to just 14 games with Toronto.

Meanwhile, in the American Hockey League, Steeves established himself as one of the AHL's best forwards, becoming the Marlies all time points leaders with 216 in just four seasons.

Now in Boston, Steeves has been establishing himself as a quality NHLer in the Bruins bottom-six, and a potential player the Leafs may have wished they hadn't given up on.

The Toronto Maple Leafs let Alex Steeves walk to rivals Boston on a one-year deal at $850K, but should the Leafs have given their AHL star forward a full-time shot?

Steeves, at 26, wasn't proven as a long-term option despite some chances to prove himself at the NHL level. Steeves has found a role with a Boston team lacking the same offensive depth as the past Leafs teams.

Right now, however, the Leafs could use a player like Steeves on offense in the bottom-six as a potential upgrade, but he may have not exceled with less minutes in Toronto vs Boston.

Steeves isn't the only Bruin biting Toronto back hard, as Fraser Minten has managed to be a solid contributor for the Bruins this season after being traded by the Leafs, while on the recieving end, trade return Brandon Carlo has performed to mixed results in Toronto.

Having been ignored as a Leaf despite showing signs of promise, Alex Steeves is proving he can be an NHLer in Boston, and perhaps deserving of a bigger chance prior in Toronto.