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Alex Steeves, Toronto Marlies (Jenae Anderson / The Hockey Writers)

Can Alex Steeves Crack the Maple Leafs Lineup?

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Feb 22, 2025 1:40 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs called up Alex Steeves this week. It is a well-deserved call-up, as Steeves is having a career season with the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies. He leads the AHL with 29 goals in 40 games and is third in overall scoring with 46 points. More importantly, Steeves has developed his game into one that should translate well to the NHL.

Steeves Recently Broke Two Key Marlies Records

While not blessed with elite speed, Steeves has always been an excellent player with the puck. In 228 AHL games, all with the Marlies, he has scored 98 goals and added 102 assists for 200 points. Steeves recently broke both the all-time goal-scoring mark and the all-time points record for the Marlies’ franchise.

These records do have a caveat, however. This version of the Marlies, created in 2005, is only in its 20th season. It does not have the long, rich tradition of the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs have had numerous AHL affiliates, producing players such as Bruce Boudreau. While most of us know Boudreau as a former NHL coach and current hockey analyst, he was quite a player in his day and is in the AHL Hall of Fame. In 183 games for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Toronto Marlboros in the 1970s, he scored 152 goals and 365 points.

Steeves’ Growth as a Two-Way Player

Still, Steeves is the highest-scoring player in 20 years, which is impressive. His recent game has seen the most improvement defensively in his play without the puck. He’s also grown in his physicality. While he does not run players over and is not blessed with great size (6-foot-0 and 195 pounds), he looks for opportunities to punish opponents physically. He now kills penalties for the Marlies and is trusted in crucial late-game situations—whether his team needs a goal or is protecting a lead.

We have watched Steeves’ game grow with the Marlies. While his talent was evident, we did not initially see anything that separated him from other skilled AHL players—many of whom have been productive for years but never reached a level that suggested they could be NHL regulars. This season has been different. Most of the time he is on the ice, his play is a step above the competition. His confidence has grown alongside his performance. At 25 years old, he is not yet old enough to be considered a “late bloomer” like Bobby McMann (28), but his development has been slower than that of many comparable prospects.

The Challenge of Cracking the Maple Leafs’ Lineup

Of course, the big question is how his game will translate to the NHL and how much of a chance he will get on a team loaded with top-end talent. A player like Steeves needs to be placed in a position where his skill set can benefit him and the team. He would also need time to adjust and go through the natural growing pains of an NHL promotion.

Ideally, he would be placed in a top-six role, similar to Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann. But is that realistic with the Maple Leafs? If everyone is healthy, the Maple Leafs already have a top-six forward group consisting of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, Knies, and McMann. It would be unreasonable to expect Steeves to supplant any of those players.

You also don’t want Steeves’ offensive abilities wasted on the fourth line. That leaves him battling with Max Domi, Nicholas Robertson, Max Pacioretty, Pontus Holmberg, and a healthy Calle Järnkrok for a spot on the third line. Steeves is not a center—he is a left-handed winger who can play either side—meaning he is fighting for one of two possible positions: third-line left-wing or third-line right wing.

Steeves Must Find His Role and Make an Impact

Eleven of Steeves’ goals this season have come on the power play. He has developed a dangerous one-timer from the faceoff circle to the left of opposing goalies, particularly on the Marlies’ man advantage. That is a spot currently occupied by Matthews, and there is no scenario where Steeves replaces Matthews in that role. He will have to find a way to produce points at 5-on-5 and prove he can play effectively without the puck.

Even with this call-up, Steeves is not guaranteed to see any ice time in a game. He could be a placeholder for Marner or Nylander in practices while they participate in or recover from the 4 Nations Face-Off. If Steeves does get into games, he will have to earn his minutes. He must show he is not a defensive liability to gain the necessary ice time to showcase his offensive abilities. He must also do this while competing against Domi, Pacioretty, Holmberg, Robertson, and Järnkrok.

If Steeves Does Play, Can He Score?

Steeves has not scored a goal in the 11 games he has played with the Maple Leafs over the past four seasons. It would be great to see him get a chance to notch his first NHL goal. He has the potential to become a regular NHL player, but with just a one-year contract, this may be his last opportunity to prove he belongs with the Maple Leafs.

If he does not see a realistic path to cracking the lineup, we would be surprised if he re-signs with Toronto beyond this season.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]