Alex Steeves could be getting another opportunity with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 25-year-old was called up to the NHL from the Toronto Marlies on Tuesday, the first day players can report back to their clubs for practice after the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
Toronto is practicing later this afternoon and Steeves, who has 29 goals and 17 assists in 40 AHL games this season, will participate. The forward leads the AHL in goals and is two off the league lead in points.
Steeves broke the Marlies franchise points record earlier this season and recently set a new record for most goals in the organization. In 228 games, Steeves has 98 goals and 102 assists for 200 points.
The Saint Paul, Minnesota native has played 11 games with the Maple Leafs since joining the organization in March 2021. Steeves registered one assist and has averaged 9:15 of ice time through that span.
He played four games with the Maple Leafs this season, averaging 11:01 of ice time.
The forward has had difficulties sticking with the Maple Leafs in the NHL. Despite being on a scoring tear in the AHL, Steeves hasn't been able to produce with the limited ice time under Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube.
"The opportunities I've been afforded with the Marlies have been nothing short of incredible for me and my family," Steeves said after breaking the team's franchise goals record earlier this season.
"I consider myself the byproduct of all the hard work behind the scenes that everyone from within this organization, my family, they just constantly are in my corner helping me succeed."
Steeves signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with Toronto on Aug 21. Following this season, he'll be a Group Six unrestricted free agent, meaning he'll be eligible to sign with any team in the league.
