Josh Pillar

June 2023 – After joining the Leafs organization in the Ryan O’Reilly trade with St. Louis, Toronto has left Pillar unsigned and he is now an unrestricted free agent. There are rumours that the Maple Leafs organization may look to bring him back on an AHL-deal but for now, Pillar is free to explore other options around the league and elsewhere. Curtis Rines

February 2023 – Pillar has been sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a three-team deal also involving St. Louis which includes Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari. Curtis Rines

June 2022 – Pillar, who was drafted in the 4th round at the 2021 NHL draft, as an overager, had an underwhelming season in the WHL. Despite starting the season well with the Kamloops Blazers scoring 11 goals and 20 assists in 29 games, he got traded halfway through the season to the Saskatoon Blades. Pillar had a rough time adjusting to his new team finishing with only six points in 17 games to close out the season with his new club. His contribution of four points was not enough in the playoffs as Saskatoon lost in a five-game first round elimination. The 2021-22 WHL season was a regression from the shortened prior year 2020-21 WHL season where Pillar put up 29 points in 22 games, where he impressed enough for the Minnesota Wild to draft him. The lack of production at the junior level is a worrying sign, however his speed and tenacity can potentially help him become a depth winger at the pro levels. Nathan Leblanc