Toronto Maple Leafs Make Surprising Roster Move By Recalling Standout Forward

With the 4 Nations Faceoff quickly winding down, teams are getting back to their regularly scheduled business and that means the rest of the 2025 season. As the playoffs and trade deadline approaches, teams are trying to get the best pieces possible together.

For the Maple Leafs, a team that is starving a bit for offense they made a crucial call-up on Monday, as the team announced forward Alex Steeves has been brought up from the Toronto Marlies.

Steeves is the AHL's leading scorer and has a blistering 29 goals and 17 assists in 40 games this season. He is also the Toronto Marlies all-time leading goal scorer as well; surpassing Ryan Hamilton earlier this season.

So why exactly would Toronto want to recall Steeves?

This season has been Steeves' best no doubt, but if you were to look at his previous seasons, you'd be shocked to find out he hasn't made it big yet.

In his four AHL seasons including this year, Steeves has 98 goals and 102 assists over a 228-game span. He's dominated since year one with the Marlies, and there's really nothing left for him to do.

He's won a championship, he's broken records, he's arguably been the AHL's best player this season and there's no point in keeping him there especially when the Maple Leafs need offense.

Steeves was given a short stint earlier this season due to injuries, but didn't record a point in his four games. He's played 11 career NHL games but has yet to register a point and is a minus-4.

Toronto needs to get their offense sparked on their third line, and adding Steeves will no doubt give them the chance. He hasn't shown what he's capable of yet, but with his results in the AHL but give him enough time and he will.

A standout at Notre Dame, after his NCAA career Steeves signed with the Maple Leafs in 2021 and has been with the organization ever since.