Steeves, and some of his teammates, spoke about being one goal away from the historic milestone.
Alex Steeves is on the verge of making Toronto Marlies history for the second time this season.
The 25-year-old forward tied the team's franchise goal record of 94 while Toronto was on their 'Boat Show road trip' in California. Steeves' league-leading 25th goal in his 34th game allowed him to draw even with Ryan Hamilton, who set the Marlies' record in 2013.
Before the goal record was in sight, the young forward broke the Marlies' franchise points record. "Let's keep putting the puck in the net and cross that bridge when it comes," he smiled, discussing the goals record after setting the new Marlies points record.
Two months later, though, and we've arrived.
"I’m not really worried about breaking it. That’ll come when it’s right. Hopefully, it’s [on Friday]," Steeves grinned, before providing emotion about it.
"I’m continually grateful for everyone. My teammates and everyone who allows me to show up on game days and perform. I have it really good here and that never gets lost on me."
Toronto faces off against the Laval Rocket at home inside Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday and Saturday. What better way to celebrate a record-breaking accomplishment than against one of the Marlies' biggest AHL rivals?
"We’re all excited for him. But when the time comes, it’ll be a special moment for sure," Marlies captain Logan Shaw told The Hockey News on Friday.
"It’s nice to have a couple home games here in a row. Hopefully he can get it here. I’m really rooting for him, obviously to pass that. But I’m rooting for him in his career. He puts a lot of hard work into it. He works hard every day, so it’s nice."
Steeves' tenure with the Maple Leafs has had plenty of ups and downs. His point production is rather high for an AHL player, however, he hasn't been able to consistently crack their NHL lineup since joining the organization in 2021.
The forward has gotten into 11 games with the Maple Leafs throughout the last four seasons, registering one assist and averaging 9:15 of ice time. Steeves spoke with The Hockey News earlier this season about his chance to solidify a full-time gig with the Maple Leafs.
Although it's been difficult for the forward to cement himself there, he's continuing to evolve his game for a full-time NHL spot in the future, inside or outside of the Maple Leafs organization.
(He'll be a Group-6 unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, allowing him to sign anywhere within the NHL.)
"Everyone wants to score points," Marlies head coach John Gruden told The Hockey News, "but now the penalty-killing he’s doing, he’s playing a 200-foot game. I think because of that—the physicality and him playing that type of game—the puck is on his stick more. So now, when the puck’s on your stick more, he’s more dangerous."
You can fill the back of the net with goals in the AHL, but unless you're trustworthy on both sides of the puck, you're not going to get a lot of runway in the top league.
"It's everything," Gruden said.
The 54-year-old, who was an assistant coach in the NHL for five seasons before joining the Marlies, saw first-hand what being strong defensively can do for a player's career.
"Any NHL coach, and I’ve worked for some really good ones, the one thing that they have to have for a player when they put them out there is trust. And if they aren’t 100 percent on the trust aspect of it, it’s hard for guys. So if you’re trustworthy and you’re consistent, all of the other stuff will follow: the goals and that other stuff."
Like Steeves and Gruden, Marlies captain Logan Shaw battled for an NHL roster spot during his extensive career. The 32-year-old played 232 games, split between the Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, and Ottawa Senators, all while bouncing back and forth between the two leagues.
With that being said, Shaw understands the unique challenge of carving a spot in the NHL.
"It’s a tough league to get to. It’s a harder league to stay in."
Toronto's captain admitted he and Steeves have had conversations about getting to —and staying — in the NHL.
"It’s a hard league. And the American League is a tough league as well. He’s having success in this league, but to do it over and over and over, it’s hard each and every day," Shaw said.
"I see a lot of myself in him, when I was younger, just trying to figure out what your role would be in the NHL. And I think he knows it...
"He’s going to have a good career no matter where it’s at. But he’ll be in the NHL. His work ethic and his drive will get him there. And then it’s up to him to figure out what it takes to stay."
Steeves has matured a lot as a player, Shaw said on Friday, adding, "He was a professional when I first got here, but you can see him grow and learn what it means to be a true professional every day."
After his second AHL All-Star appearance last week, the young forward is grateful for all of the experiences he's had in Toronto. Scoring another goal will give Steeves another momento to hold onto when he eventually looks back on this period of his career.
"For me, it’s just when that puck eventually goes in," Steeves said, "it’ll more so be a culmination rather than a moment. So for me, it’s just about soaking it all in."
