Former 1st rounder Keiffer Bellows has his eyes on an NHL contract with the Leafs after strong start to PTO
A few short weeks back, when the Maple Leafs offered former first round pick Keiffer Bellows an opportunity to sign a professional tryout with the Toronto Marlies, there was a certain aura of excitement surrounding the possibility of the Leafs maybe finding a bit of a diamond in the rough and a solid reclamation project.
Bellows was originally drafted 19th overall in 2016, the same year that the Leafs had drafted Auston Matthews 1st overall, and there was some belief at the time that he might actually end up being a difference-maker for the New York Islanders.
Well, obviously, things didn't work out the way Bellows had planned, largely because of his skating and some of his defensive woes. The details of his game were not as sound as the Islanders had expected, and by the time the 2022-23 season rolled around, the Isles placed Bellows on waivers. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Flyers and played 27 games in the NHL last season, notching 3 goals, before finishing his season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and producing 10 points in 12 games.
When Bellows was not able to secure an NHL or AHL deal this summer, he opted to go the PTO route this fall and seems very grateful for the opportunity that the Leafs and Marlies are giving him. He's also making the most of it, with 4 goals and 7 points in just 5 games with the Marlies thus far.
Bellows recently took part in a 1-on-1 interview with TSN's Mark Masters and had plenty to say about his opportunity with the Leafs organization, Marlies GM Ryan Hardy, his desire to get back to the NHL, the advice he was given by his dad, ex-NHLer Brian Bellows, and his familiarity with Leafs netminder Joseph Woll.
On what he's been working on with the Leafs development staff, Bellows believes he's getting a lot of good advice from his coaches and trying to make the most of it:
"I'm working with the skating coaches here with the Marlies and the Leafs, before and after practice, just doing it on my own time as well and I feel like that has really benefitted me and helped me a lot."
Bellows also has a familiarity with Marlies GM Ryan Hardy, dating back to their time together with the U.S. National Under-18 Team in 2015-16. He says that he and Hardy trust one another and he plans to just keep his head down, work hard, and do his best to prove the Marlies GM right.
As far as what the Marlies and Leafs are looking for from Bellows, he revealed that the message was clear; just come in, work hand and show us what you can do:
"They just wanted me to come in on a tryout and just show what I can do, and that's what I want to do. I want to show I can earn an NHL contract. That's my goal. While doing that, obviously that's a personal goal, I also want to help this team win games and put in a good run, however long it takes, however long I'm here, whatever the situation is - I want to help this team go on a winning streak to help them benefit in the longer run as well."
Bellows mentioned his skating and defensive zone play as two areas that he has really put an emphasis on trying to develop. He has put in a lot of extra time with the development team in these areas and hopes that it will help him to secure a contract when all is said and done.
As far as what he thinks he can bring to the table for the Leafs, here's what he had to say:
"I think, just from my game, I'm a power forward and I just love to shoot the puck and I love to get to the dirty areas, in front of the net, the corners and I know I can score goals and make plays... I'm not afraid to get in battles, get in front of the net, play a little chippy here and there. That's just always been a part of my game growing up."
Bellows is familiar with Leafs netminder Joseph Woll from their time together in the USHL and the World Juniors. According to Bellows, Woll reached out to him immediately upon finding out that he had signed a PTO in Toronto and told him not to hesitate to reach out if he needed anything. Class act, Joseph Woll.
Bellows has the luxury of being able to lean on his dad, retired NHLer Brian Bellows, who played 1,188 career regular season NHL games split between the Minnesota North Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Washington Capitals throughout the 80's and 90's. He said that his dad's message to him through the ups and downs of his young career has been simple. Just go out there and have fun.
With the way Bellows has performed with the Marlies through 5 games, it would be more surprising if he didn't earn a contract with either the Marlies or the Leafs. Granted, it's still early on in his PTO, but the early returns have been very good from Bellows and if the team believes he can be a helpful piece moving forward, it seems likely that we'll see him land a contract.
Just a great story, this kid. Hopefully it all works out.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 15 | 290 ANSWERS Former 1st rounder Keiffer Bellows has his eyes on an NHL contract with the Leafs after strong start to PTO Should the Leafs offer Keiffer Bellows a contract with how well his PTO has gone? | ||
| Definitely | 97 | 33.4 % |
| Not just yet, but soon if he keeps it up | 158 | 54.5 % |
| No, he's a bust | 35 | 12.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
