{"id":462196,"date":"2026-02-18T16:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/462196\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T16:35:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:35:01","slug":"the-maple-leafs-made-a-blue-line-roster-move-worth-watching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/462196\/","title":{"rendered":"The Maple Leafs made a blue-line roster move worth watching"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Sep <\/p>\n

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

William Villeneuve’s time to shine might be coming soon<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For his AHL career, Villeneuve has 108 points in 205 games (12 goals, 96 assists) with 151 PIM and a plus-20 rating.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Previously on Hockey Patrol<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

09 MINUTES AGO|2 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

The Maple Leafs made a blue-line roster move worth watching<\/p>\n

Do you think William Villeneuve will play for the Maple Leafs this season?<\/p>\n

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