Josh Leivo: Movin’ On Up

[WeWantACup]

With the graduations of Nazem Kadri and Matt Frattin to the NHL, the prospect pipeline becomes a little thinner up front, particularly in terms of top-end skill. This will be an opportunity for some fans to look a little further down the depth chart at some of the budding talent and potential future Toronto Maple Leafs.

http://www.wewantacup.com/headlines/1305-josh-leivo-movin-on-up

Click to read more...

 

[zeke]

Liked this kid when I saw him in training (rookie?) camp last year.

Good all around skillset, and thinks the game well. I think he's a keeper. Not sure if he'll ever be more than a 3rd liner, but he has a chance to be.

 

[frankthetank91]

Ideal scenario:

Leivo-Kadri-Frattin

Leafs future 2nd line.

Edit:

Although realizing Lupul and JVR are here for the longrun:

Lupul-XXX-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Frattin
Leivo-XXX-Biggs
XXX-McClement-XXX

Flip every other forward still signed that is not mentioned for a #1C and we're set

 

[zeke]

kadri'll be on the first line, methinks.

 

[Schenn]

Saw Leivo play a couple fridays ago. He played great, had a couple assists in a 3-2 SO loss to Plymouth. He ended up being one of the 3 stars of the game.

 

[Penalty Kill Icing*]

From a couple of days ago:

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

TOR prospect Josh Leivo (Kitchener) just went bar down in Brampton for his 26th of season. Leivo is a good prospect. Leafs are high on him.

https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/305773775272677376

 

[Pyrophorus]

He'll be in the show.

 

[charliolemieux]

Nice.

Never have enough Big skilled bangers and crashers.

 

[DD03]

Watched him play in Sudbury a few times. He's got a good combination of size, speed, and skill. Can't wait for Eakins to get his hands on him.

 

[thewave]

Our prospect pool is better then many publications make it out to be. The teams in better shape then a lot of people think going forth.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Watched him play in Sudbury a few times. He's got a good combination of size, speed, and skill. Can't wait for Eakins to get his hands on him.

 

[613Leafer]

The fact that he's produced at a high level in Sudbury without any star quality linemates mixed with the fact that he's one of the better defensive forwards in the OHL, gives me hope that he should at least be a solid two-way 3rd liner, and maybe a little higher.

I like seeing teams built around solid two-way players, so him and Biggs are definitely the types of prospects I like to see coming up the pipeline.

 

[leafers]

For those who have seen him play, how is his skating?

 

[Peace Frog]

Watched him play in Sudbury a few times. He's got a good combination of size, speed, and skill. Can't wait for Eakins to get his hands on him.

If, and that's a big IF, Eakins is still around then. Could very well lose him to an NHL team as early as this coming summer.

 

[bonjovi0308]

By reading the article, sounds like Leivo has a higher ceiling than Ross...

 

[Pi]

By reading the article, sounds like Leivo has a higher ceiling than Ross...

Yep. If Leivo puts it all together, he is a top six player for the Leafs.

Brad Ross has a ceiling similar to most other pests...3rd line role.

 

[thewave]

If, and that's a big IF, Eakins is still around then. Could very well lose him to an NHL team as early as this coming summer.

Not really we could just make him an offer of NHL salary keep him around and have him waiting in the wings.

 

[HarrisonFord]

I really thought that Carlyle would be gone by the end of the year to make room for Eakins, but damnit if he's making it really, really hard to make any case for it.

Regardless, I agree that Leivo will be a future NHL top 6er

 

[Warden of the North]

Quality article WeWantaCup. Always liek to hear more on the up and comers.

 

[birddog*]

Ideal scenario:

Leivo-Kadri-Frattin

Leafs future 2nd line.

Edit:

Although realizing Lupul and JVR are here for the longrun:

Lupul-XXX-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Frattin
Leivo-XXX-Biggs
XXX-McClement-XXX

Flip every other forward still signed that is not mentioned for a #1C and we're set

Komarov needs to be in there. He's been terrific. Does a lot of little things better than anyone else on this team.

Also, no reason not to pencil in Bozak on the third line. Perfect fit.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Anytime I pump a prospect's tires, there is a thread or article...

Leivo is a heck of a prospect.

 

[8dm13]

Quality article WeWantaCup. Always liek to hear more on the up and comers.

Thank you! Glad you folks are enjoying it.

 

[8dm13]

By reading the article, sounds like Leivo has a higher ceiling than Ross...

Offensively I'd say so. I feel like Ross is destined to play the role of Darcy Tucker. Grind all day, but also chip in when playing with skill players.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

After next season.

JVR-1st13-Kessel
Lupol-Kadri-Frattin
Leivo-Bozak-Biggs
Ashton-McClement-Devane

Phaneuf - Rielly
Gardiner - Holzer
Frazer - Blacker

Reimer

Edit: Forgot about Kessel...

 

[8dm13]

For those who have seen him play, how is his skating?

Not explosive, but better than average. Strength is what he'll have to work on most, outside of adjusting to speed at next level