Josh Leivo

October 2017 – Questions raised this training camp about where exactly Leivo stood for a job in Leaf camp with no roles opened up in the off season, the team health and young dynamo Kasperi Kapanen seeking NHL employment on a wing. Coach, Mike Babcock issued a statement late in camp, “I think he is a full-time NHLer” and “He needs to take someone else’s job, it’s just simple” showing he and the organization feel he is a very meaningful depth piece they need to keep and will wait to utilize. Last campaign, after being injured in cam and not able to win a job, he sat healthy most of the year, finally appearing in 13 games later and compiling 10 points. That my friends would be excellent production from 95% of players in fantasy hockey circles, we’d only wish we could pro rate those stats (63 points) over 82 games. Now let’s temper expectations, he is not a 60-point player, but he could be a consistent 30-50 point producer in a top-9 role while adding jam with peripheral stats for us, but he needs to appear to gain traction as a useful commodity. Currently his role in the fantasy world is similar to the NHL, depth waiting to contribute. But do not overlook his value for lesser quality players that are getting dressed. Jason Banks

January 2017 – It’s not a good season to be a Maple Leaf roster extra, as Leivo has only dressed in a pair of games while being a healthy scratch 16 times. Leivo has talent and management knows they have an asset which is why they have no interest in waiving him. Had he not been injured early in camp, he could have easily found himself slotted in where Zach Hyman ended up and being a fruitful, cheap winger for fantasy players. Something will have to give soon, as playing as little as he has in what should be an exciting rookie campaign is absolutely criminal for all the hard work Josh has put in the past three years. He is best utilized alongside an exciting, talented forward as the size and sand paper. Jason Banks

November 2015 – Leivo is currently enjoying his most productive season in pro hockey, that mirrors his nearly point per game OHL career. He is continuing to work on his complete game, while playing with high quality linemates awaiting his next recall. Leivo is pretty much NHL capable and has upside, just needs the opening on the roster to get ice. Josh already has three points in 16 NHL contests, and is just looking lock down a role as he is becoming too seasoned to not see the next level. Depending on how high up the lineup he plays, his production could be above average and is used to playing with creative, playmakers while being the size on a line. Coach Babcock’s theory of a ‘hardhat’ player on every unit could prove to finally be Leivo’s ticket in the second half of the season. Jason Banks

October 2014 – After another strong training camp and pre-season, Leivo actually made the opening roster as an extra. Unfortunately for the large winger, the Leafs claimed Richard Panik off waivers from Tampa Bay, the latter provides more talent and experience than Leivo has and plays a very similar game. Leivo will continue to perfect his power forward game as he awaits injuries for recall opportunities. He is an interesting player to own for very deep leagues as there is potential for him to become a productive top 9 forward within a couple years, but his ceiling is largely limited by role and surroundings. Jason Banks

November 2013 – Leivo had a huge camp for the Maple Leafs and was the first guy called up when they needed a forward. Despite being placed on a line with a couple of blue-collar, lunchbox types more often than not, he still showed creativity and good work ethic. He’ll be in the NHL sooner rather than later, and I would expect an improvement offensively similar to Matt Stajan’s slow, steady improvement. Dobber

September 2013 – Leivo once again joined the Marlies late last season for a handful of games recording a pair of assists and showing excellent drive and a solid mental game and earned a trio of playoff games.  He has a solid frame for the pro game at 20 years old that will only get stronger and more conditioned over the next couple seasons. It is expected that he will break camp with the AHL Marlies, as his former junior coach and GM is now the head coach of the ‘baby Leafs’. His growth will be very interesting to monitor as he could move up the depth chart rather quickly and become a lucrative winger to hold in roto-based fantasy leagues. Jason Banks

March 2013 – The Toronto Maple Leafs signed 2011 3rd round selection, Josh Leivo, to a 3-year entry level contract on March 4th. Leivo was considered a risky selection at the time of the draft but the big power forward has shown great promise this season playing for Sudbury and now Kitchener in the Ontario Hockey League. He is a skilled forward with great puck protection skills and smart puck handling skills. Leivo’s production has slowed recently (one point in the last six games) but he is playing an important two-way role and showing good intangibles on a contending Kitchener Rangers team. Brendan Ross

January 2013 – The Sudbury Wolves traded their scoring leader, Josh Leivo, to the Kitchener Rangers just prior to the OHL Trade Deadline. Leivo (35GP-20G-26A-46P) had a strong debut with one goal and two points in his Rangers debut, playing alongside Oilers’ prospect Tobias Rieder and Penguins’ prospect Matia Marcantuoni. Leivo provides the Rangers with the size and scoring touch that the team lacked in the first half and makes this team a legit contender. Leivo has been one of the Maple Leafs’ best developing players over the past calendar year and plays a very attractive puck possession game. Brendan Ross

October 2012 – Josh Leivo was named to the 2012 Subway Super Series Team OHL Roster slated to compete in a six-game series versus the Russian National Junior Team in November. Brendan Ross

October 2012 – Josh Leivo was named the Ontario Hockey League’s Player of the Week after potting six goals and recording a plus-5 rating in three week three road games. Brendan Ross

September 2012 – Josh Leivo is a big powerful winger that excels in the puck possession game especially along the boards. A bit of a late bloomer, Josh Leivo did not find his groove until the playoffs of 2011 when he exploded for 13 points in eight post-season games for Sudbury. Following his draft season, Leivo made the Toronto Maple Leafs look good drafting him in the third round (most felt it was a surprise) when he tore up the gamesheet notching 31 goals and 72 points in his sophomore season. Leivo has a scoring touch and shows good finishing touches around the net. Brendan Ross