Dakota Joshua could quickly become Maple Leafs’ Swiss Army knife

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to need all hands on deck this season if they want to make some noise in the regular season, and more importantly, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The makeup of their roster has changed heading into the new year, and one player to keep an eye on, when it comes to doing a little bit of everything to help the Leafs’ win, is newcomer Dakota Joshua.

Originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round back in 2014, Joshua has spent the past three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, showing off a combination of speed, skill, and strength, while displaying a knack for the net. Joshua is coming off a down year, with just seven goals in 57 games, however, he’s just two years removed from potting 18 goals in 63 games. He saw his role diminish with the Canucks, and while he was kind of shocked the trade went down, Joshua recently admitted he was thrilled when he was told he’s heading to Toronto. And, so he should be.

Joshua has a chance to make a significant impact on his new team, and while there’s a little bit of familiarity with Craig Berube from their days together in St. Louis, expect to see the 6-foot-3 power forward come out flying at training camp, and into his first season with his new team. Thanks to his size, soft hands around the net, willingness to hit everything that moves, and impressive work ethic, don’t be surprised to see Joshua stick within the middle-six of the Maple Leafs lineup, and give Berube a weapon to use at left wing among his third, and potentially second lines. A lot like Max Pacioretty last season, just 10 years younger.

Joshua will have a legit shot at playing with John Tavares and William Nylander this season, and could bring an element of what Matthew Knies’ brings to the Leafs’ top line. He’s a big body who loves to crash the net, isn’t afraid to challenge the dirty areas of the ice, and his confident toughness is going to go a long way when it comes to changing exactly how this team plays. It’s a new era in Toronto, and Joshua, who has three years left on his contract at $3.25 million AAV, should be thinking long term. The fact that he’s familiar with the head coach, knows what it’s like to play in a Canadian market, and is motivated to have a bounce-back season, the stars could align this year for him in Toronto. With him being signed through the 2028-29 season, there’s zero doubt Brad Treliving is hoping he carves himself a role immediately, and hunkers down as someone Berube can trust for this season, and moving forward. An ‘x-factor’ could be an understatement.

With Max Domi potentially starting the season on the injured reserve, it could give Joshua a chance for some second power-play time to start the year. The Maple Leafs could also give the 29-year-old a shot as a depth penalty killer, as he’s shown in the past with the Canucks he’s more than capable of playing a depth role in all situations. However, what Leafs Nation will notice from the opening puck drop is that Joshua doesn’t take any prisoners. He loves to lay the body and is a ‘loud’ forechecker who zones in on ensuring defencemen know he’s in the area. His north/south game, toughness and tenacity are going to go a long way for winning Berube’s trust. With Nylander, Tavares also being under contract for the foreseeable future, his end goal should be to become their third wheel. Berube loves to coach in pairs, and those two Leafs’ vets should be considered attached at the hip, now it’s on Joshua to push his way in.

It’s an exciting season for Joshua, who is going to be giving a ton of opportunity, considering there’s a lot of unknown with this roster, and how exactly the Leafs will be structured this season. With a slew of new forwards up front, his familiarity with Berube certainly helps, but it’s going to be on Joshua to showcase his everything within his toolbox, and show off to the entire coaching staff that he can be as versatile as a Swiss-army knife from game one.