Toronto Maple Leafs at risk of losing rights to Alex Steeves if Craig Berube refuses to play him next year

The Toronto Maple Leafs have great potential to break further in the playoffs, filling in more depth positions, hiring Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube, and passing down the captaincy from John Tavares to Auston Matthews. To help secure solid 2024-25 backup, Toronto recently re-signed Alex Steeves, a forward from their AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies, to a one-year, two-way contract.

However, a lesser-known clause could cause issues for the Toronto Maple Leafs' future relationship with Alex Steeves. An RFA becomes a Group 6 UFA if they are at least 25 years old, have three or more pro seasons, and less this 80 NHL games. Alex Steeves is currently 24 and has played 7 NHL games over across three seasons. If Craig Berube does not play him for the Maple Leafs in at least 73 games in the upcoming season, the team will lose rights to the player and could see him sign a contract elsewhere in the league.

Alex Steeves has recorded 69 goals and 85 points in 188 AHL games. He clearly has potential in the NHL, but with how many more games he needs to play before hitting Group 6 UFA, there is little hope he will return to Toronto next year. Hopefully, Craig Berube will give him the chance to prove his value early on in the upcoming season.

Source: PuckPedia
NHL Group 6 UFA Tracker