Also to throw it out there, Miro Aaltonen (remember him) is still Leafs property. He has 40 points in 55 games, which is first on his team (one ahead of Alex Semin, and 16 more than 3rd place, so he's one of their headliners) and can play all three forward positions with two-way skill (he can play PP and PK). I think his stint with the Marlies really helped his defensive game. He had 44 points in 59 games two seasons prior with his KHL team (he was third then) and a much worse +/- despite similar production.
Last year with the Marlies, he was a top 6 center who put up 43 points in 63 games including 13 points in 20 games in the playoffs. He was one of the most underrated performers, and had he been highlighted like Johnsson had been, and not gone through a couple of slumps/injuries, he probably could have gone a PPG last year. People wanted him as our 4C over Lindholm before he went back to the KHL.
He'd be 26 by the start of next season, so he is someone who could easily and immediately make the jump to the NHL on either the 3rd or 4th line. I originally thought he would be an ideal cheap replacement for Par Lindholm, who likely gets a better offer from another NHL team, but he could be an option to replace Johnsson as well. I wouldn't be shocked if he step into the Johnsson role immediately, be a two-way presence (maybe even play on the 2PK), and even put up 40 points if he's given PP time and good linemates.
He'd be more than willing to come back and have a legit shot at the NHL. With the role we can promise him, he'd have a good chance to make a pay day and a long term career with us or another team after one year in the NHL.
