The Maple Leafs have a potential Olympian and his value is peaking at the right time
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Photo credit: Steven Ellis – Daily Faceoff
The Toronto Maple Leafs might have an Olympic representative in their midst and while he’s unknown now it might be time for the team to take a serious look at him.
But there are other players that the Maple Leafs have in their system who could qualify as a potential Olympian if things all go well, such as Ben Danford and Easton Cowan not to mention Matias Maccelli (if he sticks around) will be looked at by Finland, though there’s one who could surprise us all.
Benoit-Olivier Groulx: Future Olympian? It’s a possibility
Toronto Marlies forward Benoit-Olivier Groulx has been a pleasant surprise for the AHL squad this season, not only because he brought some NHL experience but because he was able to take the reins and run with it.
He’s born in France and he was asked who he wanted to come out on top in the Canada/France game in Milan. While keeping things light, he did mention he had hopes for the 2030 Games:
I almost said Canada, but I’d be lowering my chances of Olympics (for France in future).
I always have the choice to go back there for a year and qualify then we’ll see what happens.
Signed this past offseason to shore up some AHL depth, Groulx has turned into a scoring machine this season with 42 points in 46 games (22 goals, 20 assists) while adding 28 PIM and a plus-10.
Bo Groulx showing why he should be given another chance
On pace to smash his AHL career highs, Groulx is only 25 years old and someone the Maple Leafs should take a serious look at especially if they are going to be retooling.
He’s a solid face-off man, can play a full 200-foot game, clearly has a knack for scoring and he’s a surprisingly large player at 6’2, 205. If Toronto wanted to use him as a stop-gap option for the rest of the year as a photo-audition it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Groulx has NHL experience however, with 65 games played (5 points) all with the Anaheim Ducks so you’re not throwing a guy to the wolves either when it comes to putting him into the lineup.
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The Maple Leafs have a potential Olympian and his value is peaking at the right time
Do you think Benoit Olivier-Groulx deserves a shot with the Toronto Maple Leafs?