Brandon Duhaime may not have been Toronto's top offseason addition, but former Leaf Jay Rosehill thinks his physical style could quickly make him a fan favourite.
Duhaime was a signing that many fans didn't pay much attention to as he was a relatively unknown name to most of the Maple Leafs fanbase and it was another projected bottom-six signing for John Chayka in a flurry of them on July 1.
But former Maple Leafs player Jay Rosehill believes that Duhaime is the type of player who fans will not only start to notice, but quickly get behind and on Leafs Morning Take explained that Duhaime is the type of player to help swing momentum towards Toronto:
Duhaime for me. He can play gritty, with a chip on his shoulder. Talk about a guy who dumps and does something. We've talked a lot about the building being quiet...sometimes you're lulled to sleep. [Playing] physical, nasty, rugged - they haven't had guys willing to do that. I think he has a chance to win some hearts of some fans over this season.
Toronto is full of offensive stars but have lacked a bit of grittiness and nastiness in the lineup, and Duhaime is no stranger to being an agitator or getting in the dirtier areas of the game and Rosehill believes that speed and physicality will resonate immediately.
Brandon Duhaime brings the exact style Toronto fans embrace
Maple Leafs fans have always had a soft spot for those who like to be a bit more involved beyond the offensive side with names like Tie Domi, Darcy Tucker, and Colton Orr.
Whenever Toronto needed a spark, these players provided it. Whether it be through fighting, overt physicality, or generally being a thorn in opponent's sides they always seemed to shift the course of the game one way or another and fans appreciated their hard-knock style.
Duhaime shouldn't be expected to become Domi or Tucker however he offers the same skillset that made them fan favourites so he could act in a similar vein to how they did.
He's averaged over 140 hits per season for his NHL career so he's consistently physical and always willing to put his body out there for the sake of his team.
His 23.20 MPH ranked in the 92nd percentile for max skating speed which only makes his physical game more dangerous as it's hard to prepare for a 6-foot-2, 210-pound player closing in ready to lay in a hit and pressure defenders.
He's also known for being someone who rallies his team and his personality could also help endear him to both teammates and fans considering the humour he brings off the ice:
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His combination of light-hearted nature off the ice and intense nature while playing is going to be key to not only earning the respect but adoration of the fans and part of why Rosehill believes he can be a fan favourite.
Duhaime has a clear opportunity to stand out in the Maple Leafs' bottom six
The Maple Leafs' bottom-six didn't really have too many guys fans would immediately latch onto for their personality or style of play. Steven Lorentz earned the same adoration in his first season, and Duhaime gives the team another similar player who can create energy and shift momentum.
Fans always want a player they can rely on to bring the energy regardless of if it's 5-0 Maple Leafs or 4-0 for the opposition. There's always a way to make an impact, and fans appreciate those gutsy performances.
It's why Domi and Tucker became so beloved so quickly because in addition to their on-ice talents also had a knack for knowing when to fire up the crowd and swing the game in their favour.
A punishing hit, an aggressive forecheck or even dropping the gloves can have a big impact on a game and shift the energy in one team's favour even if it doesn't show on the scoreboard right away.
Duhaime is going to do his best to do that and in turn fire up both his teammates and could end up proving Rosehill right and happen much sooner than expected.
Do you think that Brandon Duhaime will be a good fit for the Maple Leafs?
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