Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a surprise roster move recalling William Villeneuve and coming after their first practice, it may be for some defensive insurance.
As the NHL schedule resumes shortly, teams are getting their lineups prepared for the return of the regular season, and for the Maple Leafs, they’re already back in business.
The Maple Leafs recalled William Villeneuve from the Marlies on Wednesday as they look to potentially give the young blueliner a look, and he’s been a player who has been in the system awhile but never really got a chance to shine.
William Villeneuve’s time to shine might be coming soon
This season, Villeneuve has 18 points in 40 games (3 goals, 15 assists) with 34 PIM and a minus-8 rating. He’s not getting that offensive production he normally would but has also dealt with injuries that have kept him away.
A puck-mover by trade, Villeneuve would give the Maple Leafs a lot more flexibility on the back end and he’s shown glimpses of brilliance before in the preseason and his Marlies numbers have been great — he just hasn’t been a focus.
There has been speculation from fans that there has been a little bit of bias against Villeneuve on behalf of Brad Treliving because he was a former Kyle Dubas pick, and with him being a bit smaller and not as ‘tough and gritty’ as the current GM wants, it may be why he hasn’t been afforded a chance.
For his AHL career, Villeneuve has 108 points in 205 games (12 goals, 96 assists) with 151 PIM and a plus-20 rating.
There is no guarantee that Villeneuve will find his way into the lineup, however if the Maple Leafs do decide to sell on some of their defenders like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Brandon Carlo, and Simon Benoit — they are going to need someone to step in.
For Villeneuve it might be the perfect chance to show them what they have been missing meanwhile the Maple Leafs will at least have a better idea of whether he factors into their future plans or not.
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The Maple Leafs made a blue-line roster move worth watching
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