Maple Leafs Need to Give Alex Steeves More Ice Time Than Previous Call-Ups – The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More

Just recently, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have called up Alex Steeves from the Toronto Marlies. This can benefit them by providing a solution to improve their offense down the lineup. The Maple Leafs have tried many methods and line changes to improve their offensive production this past month before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Max Domi’s offense has disappeared from the start of the season. Can Nick Robertson continue to find a place for himself in the lineup? Right now, only Bobby McMann has been a viable option for depth scoring, and it’s not enough.

Steeves has reached a new level in his game this season, and while it might have been a bit late to call him up, it’s better late than never. If the Maple Leafs properly utilize Steeves’ skills, his addition to the team and offense can help them focus on other positions of need come the trade deadline.

Steeves’ Record-Breaking Season With the Marlies

This season, Steeves has 29 goals and 17 assists for 46 points, is third in the American Hockey League (AHL) in points, and leads the league in power-play and game-winning goals. His 29 goals are a career-high, beating his previous-best of 27 last season. His shooting percentage is also through the roof, sitting at an impressive 19.9% on 146 shots on goal, beating last season’s numbers of 13.6% on 199 shots on goal. His continuous goal-scoring prowess throughout the years with the Marlies has made him accomplish a remarkable feat, passing Ryan Hamilton as the all-time leading scorer for the Marlies when he scored his 26th of the season against the Laval Rocket on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. While his scoring on the power play has been great this season, he is also efficient at even strength, currently with 14 goals, the second-best in the AHL.

That wasn’t the only record he broke this season; he also set the franchise record for points by scoring a one-timer on the power play during the first period against the Rocket on Dec. 7, 2024. This achievement marked his 169th point with the Marlies, surpassing Kris Newbury.

Will Steeves come out here after the break and potentially start tearing it up in the NHL? Maybe not, but we can expect him to play the best hockey of his career. He wants to maintain this momentum and prove to the organization that he should be a full-time Maple Leaf and not with the Marlies anymore.

How Could We See Steeves Being Used?

Steeves’ game focuses on offense, and what makes him unique with the Marlies is his ability to enhance his linemates’ skills for his benefit. He pairs well with veteran captain Logan Shaw, a reliable two-way center on both sides of the ice, and another strong winger complements them. At times, it has been Nikita Grebenkin, who is young, quick, and unafraid to cause chaos in front of the net. Or, at times, he has had success with Roni Hirvonen, another strong-minded defensive forward who moves the puck with pace and regularly finds teammates with high-danger passes. He is also great on the power play. I don’t expect him to get a look at the top unit, but potentially on the second one, given how great his shot is.

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Steeves often plays on the wing for the Marlies, but he has also played centre at times with the Leafs. The Leafs have struggled with centre depth, so I don’t doubt they will try him there. However, his best position would be on the wing with a centre who can match his speed and generate offensive chances, e.g., Domi or potentially Calle Jarnkrok. He has been out all season on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) this entire season, but he took part in practice on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Though there is no clear timeline or reports of when he could return, the best option would be Domi or Pontus Holmberg as viable alternatives to center him at this current time.

What the Maple Leafs Shouldn’t Do if Steeves Makes the Lineup

As stated, one of the Maple Leafs’ most significant problems this season is their scoring depth. Outside of Bobby McMann, the bottom six has struggled to generate much offense. The last time we saw Steeves with the Maple Leafs was in early November, and he played around nine to 11 minutes a game on the fourth line with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves, two players who don’t quite fit the skill ceiling that Steeves usually plays with. If the Maple Leafs want Steeves to succeed and be what they hope he can be, not only does he need to perform, but they need to put him in a position to grow, which isn’t slapping him on the fourth line and playing nine to 10 minutes a game. 

Steeves participated in practice on Feb. 18 but was not assigned a particular line. We won’t know what the lines will look like until the 4 Nations Face-Off is over, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander are back, and another practice occurs. If Steeves is sent down when the break ends, we can only hope they place him in a more favorable situation than trying to fix the fourth line with a player who doesn’t belong there.

We don’t even know if Steeves will make the lineup when they return to action on Feb. 22 against the Carolina Hurricanes. He has the resources to help this team in ways it struggles. They need more from their depth guys, and giving him a chance again is the right call. To avoid repeating past mistakes, pairing him with linemates who can enhance his performance is crucial. Consider pairing him with Domi to see if they can develop some chemistry. Test his compatibility with McMann, and give him a chance to play with Max Pacioretty. If these efforts don’t succeed, it could lead to another wasted call-up, resulting in significant changes as the trade deadline approaches.