Leafs winger claimed from waivers

Claimed by the Washington Capitals, Aube-Kubel, who signed with the Leafs on a 1-year, $1M contract this past off-season, registered 0 points in 6 games with the Maple Leafs. He is coming off a season where he had 22 points through 67 games but was a key depth piece in Colorado's Stanley Cup victory last June.

The Leafs acquired Aube-Kubel in hopes of adding more physicality, grit, and determination to their 4th line this year. In his minutes as a Maple Leaf, he was second in hits per 60 behind Wayne Simmonds. To many fans, putting him on waivers this early in the season was a questionable decision, as the entire team was off to a plodding start just six games into the season.

In the off-season, the Leafs were quick to jump the gun on Aube-Kubel, making it almost a priority to sign him. The Buds ended up committing to him on the first day of free agency.

Unfortunately for Aube-Kubel, he could not find his footing in this Maple Leafs' lineup. The versatile winger wasn't able to provide much other than his physicality, with his best moments coming on the forecheck being paired with linemates David Kampf and Zach Aston-Reese earlier in the season.

Aube-Kubel has been mainly watching from the sidelines, playing in just one game since October 20th. With the rise of young winger Nick Robertson and another solid prospect in Pontus Holmberg in an already deep Maple Leafs lineup, Aube-Kubel was on the outs looking in without much hope of drawing back in.

Even though the Leafs wanted to keep Aube-Kubel, their poor waiver wire luck struck them again. Looking forward, Aube-Kubel could be a good fit for an already physical Washington Capitals team that loves to play aggressively with Tom Wilson and Alexander Ovechkin.

Credit: hockeydb.com