The Maple Leafs brought in Zack MacEwen to make life a little uglier for opponents, and so far he’s barely had the chance to do it.
Toronto quietly signed the 30-year-old forward to a two-year, $1.75 million deal in free agency after a mostly lost season with the New Jersey Devils, where he played just three games, finished with zero points and recorded six hits. It was a low-cost move, but one that fits a clear need for a team that wasn’t good enough last season and spent the offseason reshaping the roster.
That need for more edge has already shown up early this year. MacEwen has appeared in only one of Toronto’s four games, and his lone outing came on opening night against the Montreal Canadiens, when he skated just 5:25. That’s not much of a runway for a player whose value is supposed to come from making the game tougher.
And that’s exactly why the Maple Leafs should be looking at him more often, especially in the bottom six. MacEwen isn’t there to drive offense or be one of the club’s top scorers.
He’s there to bring bite, toughness and a little more discomfort for the other side. Against heavier, grittier teams like the Florida Panthers, that kind of presence matters.
Toronto didn’t sign MacEwen to fill a headline role. They brought him in to be difficult to play against, and if he does that well, he can become a useful depth piece. He also gives the Maple Leafs flexibility, since he can play both center and wing, which should help him work his way into the lineup when injuries hit.
The bigger question now is how often Toronto is willing to use him. If the Maple Leafs are serious about adding some spark to their fourth line, MacEwen looks like the kind of heart-and-soul player who could provide it.
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Leafs Fans Finally Get The Forward Shakeup They Wanted
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Gavin McKenna has already given the Leafs a glimpse of what he can bring, recording his first NHL goal and assist, but the coaching staff appears to be keeping a close eye on his workload as he settles in. Easton Cowans move into a more prominent role gives Toronto another look at its forward depth, while the road trip offers another test of how quickly the group can adapt. [Read more 🡒]