The Leafs finally have a chance to fix their bottom six for free, if they're willing to claim Juuso Parssinen
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have chance to add some much needed insurance to their bottom-six with a waiver claim and adding forward Juuso Parssinen from New York.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs navigate the first few months of the season, there are questions about whether the team has done enough add the right pieces in the lineup as the team struggles to find their footing.
There's still lots of time left, but the team doesn't have many assets or the ability to add without subtracting, and at this point in time, the Maple Leafs need as many bodies as possible after being hit by a slew on injuries this year.
They may need to rely on waivers for cheap depth, and the New York Rangers just placed a perfect fit on the wire -- Juuso Parssinen.
Why Parssinen fits exactly what the Leafs don't have right now
This doesn't guarantee the Leafs will claim him, but it explains why Parssinen stands out compared to typical waiver options.
With the Maple Leafs dealing with an injury to Nic Roy, they are already down a pivotal part of their lineup, and have to use Max Domi as a center right now as well with Auston Matthews out.
But his results at center haven't been strong enough, and the team needs a more reliable option in order to better balance their lineup.
Adding Parssinen gives Toronto a big-bodied center at 6'3, 207 pounds and one who is not only a better defender than Domi, but is still only 24 years old and hasn't reached his prime years yet.
Plus he has versatility as someone who can play both special team units, and his advanced numbers are solid.
Toronto also lacks young depth in their bottom-six, something a 24-year-old like Parssinen actually provides, plus it's not like he lacks any offensive ability -- he does have 56 points in 151 games.
Parssinen was drafted 210th overall by Nashville in 2019 and has played for Colorado as well as New York already in his career.
Why this is the one kind of upgrade Toronto can actually afford
The team doesn't have much capital to make other deals, and the assets they do have, they are reportedly hesitant to deal away.
So that means no Ben Danford, no Easton Cowan, and no top picks -- the pieces Toronto won't move. Without any other realistic trade chips they're willing to move, and stuck with some pretty bad contracts; the waiver wire is the only addition path that actually fits Toronto's situation.
One caveat with that is that Toronto has to get lucky that other teams aren't able to place a claim first, but with the team struggling they do have the luxury of picking ahead of several teams.
At just $1.25 million this season and next, Parssinen is a rare cheap upgrade who doesn't force a roster shakeup.
So if Toronto wants to truly improve their bottom-six without breaking the bank, adding Juuso Parssinen is a great starting point.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 25 | 985 ANSWERS The Leafs finally have a chance to fix their bottom six for free, if they're willing to claim Juuso Parssinen Should Toronto Claim Juuso Parssinen? | ||
| Yes | 446 | 45.3 % |
| No | 539 | 54.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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