There are few players in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ system who have been played like a yo-yo quite like Alex Steeves. The Leafs signed him to an entry-level contract in March 2021, and since then, it feels like he’s gotten more tastes of the NHL without ever getting a proper bite.
The 25-year-old has played games in each of the last four Leafs seasons, but never more than three per year. He tallied his first NHL point back in 2021-22 but was held off of the scoresheet in his limited action until Saturday night’s win over the Carolina Hurricanes, when he scored his first NHL goal and added his first assist of the season as well.
Speaking to reporters following the Leafs’ victory, Steeves oozed both relief and confidence in his ability to produce at the NHL level.
“I mean, I think anytime anyone gets called up, you just want to make an impact,” Steeves said. “Goals are nice, and it’s my first. I am a goal scorer, and I know that. And I know I can be a goal scorer at this level, so, you know, just proved that with a nice one tonight.”
Steeves might be among the older ‘prospects’ in the Leafs’ system, but he hasn’t wasted any time proving that he has what it takes to produce in the pros. He is currently the all-time leading scorer in Toronto Marlies’ team history, which is an impressive feat considering he’s only played three-and-a-half seasons in the AHL, and he’s got 29 goals and 46 points in 40 AHL games this season. He’s never really gotten a proper shot to showcase his talents in his NHL stints, mostly finding himself limited to a fourth-line role, and Saturday night was no different. But, this time, he found a way to make the most of his minutes.
“Just celebrating, relief, like I said,” Steeves said when asked what the moment following the goal was like. “Fist bumpin’, immediately trying to find Johnny [Tavares] to tell him ‘nice pass’, and then kind of blacked out.”
A first NHL goal is a moment that every NHLer who does it will remember forever, and for Steeves, it’s extra special because it contributed to a win. Just don’t ask him what he’s going to do with the souvenir.
“I’ll hold onto it, I don’t really know, im not really one to display all that stuff,” Steeves said, before bringing the house down with a joke about his living situation. “I don’t even have a house, I live in my parents basement. I’m sure my mom will have a little shrine in my room or something but right now it’s just going to go into the cupboard until the season’s over.”
With Max Pacioretty, Calle Jarnkrok, and Connor Dewar all nearing full health, it’s a tough time for Steeves to walk in and claim a spot on the roster, but if nothing else, his performance against the Hurricanes showed what he’s capable of doing, and probably earned him some extra points with Leafs management.
