Zack MacEwen is starting to look like more than just the physical presence the Toronto Maple Leafs thought they were getting.
That was the big takeaway heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Minnesota Wild, where MacEwen was listed as a game-time decision after hurting his wrist in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Toronto recalled Brendan Brisson as insurance, but MacEwen was expected to be available after taking part in pregame preparations. For a Leafs team that can use his energy and edge, that was welcome news.
What’s made MacEwen such an interesting story is that he’s not only bringing the sandpaper. He’s also finding ways to chip in on offense.
Coming into Thursday, MacEwen had two goals and four points in 14 appearances, along with 35 hits, 26 penalty minutes and 15 shots on goal. Those numbers fit the profile of the player Toronto brought in, but they also show he’s giving the club a little more than expected.
His recent outing, which included a goal and an assist, stood out in particular. He helped Toronto grab a temporary lead and gave the lineup a boost when the team needed depth players to step up.
No one is asking MacEwen to turn into a top-six scorer. That’s not the job.
Toronto already has enough players expected to carry the offense. What the Maple Leafs need from a player like him is steady support from the bottom of the lineup, especially when the usual drivers aren’t doing enough.
MacEwen’s own approach seems to match that reality. He talked about consistency, confidence, playing the right way and taking advantage of chances when they come.
That’s the right lane for him, and it’s working. He’s already up to three goals this season, putting him within reach of his career high of five.
If he can keep producing a little offense while doing the rest of his job the way he always has, he becomes a useful fourth-line piece.
The physical side of his game still matters just as much. During the broadcast discussion of his recent performance, the conversation turned to the possibility of a Gordie Howe hat trick after he scored and added an assist. All that was missing was a fight, and the broadcasters even joked that he might have to fight a teammate to finish it off.
It was a funny moment, but it also underscored why MacEwen has value in Toronto. The Maple Leafs need players who are willing to get involved, finish their checks and make opponents uncomfortable.
MacEwen can do that. He can change the tone of a game and bring a little bite to the lineup.
The challenge is making sure that edge doesn’t turn into a penalty issue. Toronto’s penalty kill started the season strong, but the broadcast noted the team had killed eight of its previous nine penalties while also pointing out that the overall unit had been less convincing lately. The Maple Leafs have also been among the league leaders in minor penalties taken.
That’s not a place they want to live for long. MacEwen can help with toughness without making the problem worse.
Finishing hits, winning board battles, protecting teammates and making life difficult for opposing defensemen all matter. Not every scrap needs to end with someone heading to the box.
MacEwen isn’t going to fix everything for Toronto. But he is showing why depth players can matter so much over the course of an NHL season. If he keeps contributing offensively, keeps bringing his physical game and keeps the penalties in check, the Maple Leafs may have found a fourth-liner whose impact goes well beyond the stat sheet.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs May Have A Blue-Line Move Bigger Than A Rental
The Maple Leafs are still hunting for help on the blue line, and the talk around the deadline suggests they are not just looking for a stopgap. Toronto appears interested in a defenseman who can fit alongside the teams core for more than a quick playoff push, which is a different kind of swing than the usual rental chase. That makes the market a little more complicated, but also a lot more interesting for a club trying to solve a problem that has lingered beyond one season.
Names such as Cam York, Alexander Nikishin, Rasmus Sandin and Simon Edvinsson have surfaced as possible fits because of their age, contract situations and longer-term appeal. None of that means a deal is close, and the Leafs still have to find the right match if they want to turn interest into an actual upgrade, but the fact they are being linked to this tier of defender says plenty about how they view their next move. [Read more 🡒]
Why Gavin McKennas Role Just Became A Bigger Leafs Debate
The Maple Leafs skid took another hit in Minnesota, where a 5-2 loss marked their seventh defeat in eight games without earning any points, and it also put Gavin McKennas usage back under the microscope. McKenna skated just 10:37, his lowest ice time of the season, even though he has been one of the more productive young pieces on the roster with six goals and 13 points in 21 games.
Jim Hillers message afterward was clear enough: McKenna will have to prove he can be more than a scoring threat if he wants a larger role. The coach said the young forward needs to be a good all-around player and handle the grind of the season, which turns every shift into part of a bigger Leafs debate about how much responsibility he should be given right now. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Are Seeing Progress But One Problem Still Looms
A day away from the rink took the Maple Leafs into a different setting this week, with the club using the Blue Jays facilities as an off-ice workout stop designed to shake up the routine and give the group a little extra energy. Jim Hiller said the change of scenery can matter, especially when a team is trying to keep its legs and its focus sharp while working through the middle of the season grind.
Hiller also pointed to signs of progress in the Leafs recent play, even if the clean-up work is far from finished. Mistakes are still showing up, but the bigger message was about sustaining a positive culture and carrying that mindset into the next stretch of games, with the quality of the Blue Jays setup serving as a reminder that sometimes a different environment can help a team reset. [Read more 🡒]