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Dakota Joshua‘s arrival could be the key to the Maple Leafs’ bigger offseason plan, and almost no one’s talking about it.The Leafs got a discount in Dakota Joshua, acquiring the 29-year-old for just a fourth round pick, acquiring a potential bounceback candidate who has his struggles explained with a cancer diagnosis that caused him to miss the start of this past season as he underwent medical support.
A return to form would make Joshua one of the most physical players in the NHL, and a player who can add some offense on the bottom-six while being reliable, something the Leafs both needed and wished to have.
Getting Dakota Joshua in the Leafs lineup not only helps the Toronto Maple Leafs in adding a physical player, but is a necessary bottom-six addition that takes care of a neglected part of the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.
Dakota Joshua Brings the Physical Edge Toronto’s Bottom Six Has Been Missing
The Toronto Maple Leafs get a reliable shutdown winger in Dakota Joshua who not only plays aggressive and will fight for pucks, they got a team player who adds a positive identity to the Leafs roster.
Joshua is familiar with Leafs head coach Craig Berube, having played for him previously in St. Louis where Joshua began his NHL career. Berube would know the winger well, having coached him for his first two seasons in the league.
No one is asking you to do Nylander’s job, or Matthew Knies‘ job, or Tavares’ job, you’ve got to do Dakota Joshua’s job and do it well because they’re a good team.
If he plays his role well then it will benefit greatly because they need someone to play the Dakota Joshua role, nothing more and obviously nothing less.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in need of a physical presence in their top-six. Pontus Holmberg has signed in Tampa Bay and rumors persist about the future of David Kämpf as a potential departure from the team with not enough forwards in one place.
If Kampf is indeed out the door for Toronto, it’s a benefit theh already have an internal replacement in Dakota Joshua, who can provide a lot more offense and energy than Kämpf. The move could also open up a move for a different forward entirely.
Creating Cap Space Could Open the Door to a Major Trade at Center
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signaled they are not done making moves.
Granted as the calendar turns to August it becomes harder to think a move can still happen, and that to start the season Toronto may have missed their window for a top acquisition, but that hasn’t appeared to deter GM Brad Treliving who maintains a top-six reinforcement is still on the bucket list.
Talks involving the top remaining free agent, Jack Roslovic, have cooled down but rumors still persist, as have trade rumors involving Toronto which dominated the early part of the offseason when it became clear the Leafs would not be involved in the free agent market too heavily.The Leafs could still make a move for a center, and trading for Dakota Joshua may help them move out some assets and balance cash. One name that has been popular and would generate interest is Max Domi.
A potential package deal of Domi & Kämpf along with a top prospect or picks could entice a team to part way with a player, more so making the trade work out financially.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are serious about getting their top-six forward issue sorted out, the acquistion of Dakota Joshua is a good way to move out any players from their roster and have a replacement already there to go in their place.
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