Surprise candidate emerging as possible 2LW during Leafs training camp
Did the Leafs end up winning the Mason Marchment trade? Forward Denis Malgin, acquired in February of 2020 in exchange for Marchment, is making inroads at training camp this season. The 5'9, 180-lb winger spent the last 2 seasons overseas playing in Switzerland with the Zurich Lions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but always planned to make his way back to the NHL. While he was there, he put up two point-per-game seasons and added 12 points at this year's IIHF Hockey World Championships. Now it appears he may be the front runner to start the season as the Leafs 2nd line left winger.
Sheldon Keefe has been impressed with Malgin's play thus far, specifically noting his tenacity on the ice. When asked about what's different for Malgin this time around, he had this to say.
- Sheldon Keefe on Malgin's play during camp
Size isn't everything in the NHL, but it plays a role. Malgin is doing his best to make up for it by being absolutely relentless in his pursuit of the puck. If Malgin turns out to be the answer for the Leafs in that 2LW slot, the narrative around that trade may change in a hurry. If that happens, there are a lot of insiders and experts out there that will be eating their words.
Maybe most importantly, Malgin meshing with Tavares and Nylander will make the Leafs' bottom 6 that much stronger. The third line could become Engvall/Kerfoot/Jarnkrok and the 4th could become Aston-Reese/Kampf/Aube-Kubel. That's easily the strongest bottom 6 group the Leafs have had in the last two decades. Malgin becoming a top-6 winger at 25 would be a shock, but no more of a shock than Michael Bunting's breakout season last year. Chemistry is everything. If Bunting never found chemistry with Matthews and Marner, there's likely no breakout season to speak of. If Malgin has legitimate chemistry with Tavares and Nylander, we could see that second line completely revitalized and more dangerous than ever.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 27 | 123 ANSWERS Surprise candidate emerging as possible 2LW during Leafs training camp Will Denis Malgin end up winning the competition for 2LW in Leafs training camp? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 57.7 % |
| No | 52 | 42.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
