Maple Leafs Sign Young 155-Point Free Agent Forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed forward Alex Steeves to a one-year, two-way contract, the franchise announced on August 21 .

According to PuckPedia , Steeves will earn $775,000 for the 2024-25 season. That figure will be split at the NHL level and $300,000 in the AHL, with a guaranteed overall payout of $350,000.

Steeves, 24, was originally signed by the Maple Leafs as a free agent back in 2021. Since then, he has spent the majority of his time with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, where he has been a key contributor. Across the three seasons he's been a professional hockey player, Steeves has played 195 games scoring 156 total points, per Elite Prospects .

Last season, Steeves scored 27 goals and assisted 30 for 57 points in 65 games with the Marlies. He was named to the 2024 AHL All-Star Game.

Despite his success in the AHL, however, Steeves has found it challenging to secure a regular spot in the NHL appearing in just seven games for the Maple Leafs, registering 1 assist and no goals at all.

Leafs analyst Steven Ellis wrote a scouting report of Alex Steeves for The Leafs Nation on August 21 right before the news of his re-signing became official.

Ellis noted that Steeves’ future with the Leafs could hinge on his ability to adapt to a different role in the NHL, focusing more on aspects like backchecking and defensive play, which could make him more valuable as a bottom-six forward.

"He needs to make himself expendable," Ellis wrote. "His role in the NHL will be drastically different from what he has been doing in the NHL, so proving himself is crucial.

"It’s hard for Steeves to find a clear path forward. It’s hard to argue that he hasn’t outgrown the AHL for the most part, but he hasn’t demonstrated that he’s good enough to become a true fourth-line piece for the Maple Leafs."

Following the addition of Steeves, the Leafs still have $1.2 million in projected cap space entering the 2024-25 season, according to PuckPedia .

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