Fraser Minten has earned his stay with the Maple Leafs, but who would he replace?
Fraser Minten's strong start with the Toronto Maple Leafs has started a significant debate about his future with the Leafs this season.
As seen on MSN.com, at 20 years old, Fraser Minten has quickly earned the trust of head coach Craig Berube who appreciates the forward's competitiveness and adaptability in the lineup.
The Leafs face tough roster decisions with injured players like Max Domi, Max Pacioretty and David Kämpf nearing their returns.
However, Fraser Minten's performances suggest he's making a strong case to stay with the team, but this comes with some other tough decisions.
Minten's stats greatly show his impact on the game because in six games, he has four points, 19 hits and has held his own in the faceoff circle, winning nearly 49% of his draws.
His ability to step into different roles including a move to the wing alongside John Tavares and William Nylander shows that he his a good polyvalent player.
In the game against the Nashville Predators, Fraser Minten led the team with seven hits and added five shots on goal, which shows what he can bring to a game.
After playing a full game, he still attended an optional practice to fine-tune his offensive skills with development coach Patrick O'Sullivan, showing his great work ethic.
While Fraser Minten doesn't require waivers to be sent to the AHL, his play has complicated the Leafs' decision-making.
Waiver-eligible players like Alex Nylander and inconsistent performances from others, such as Nick Robertson, give Minten an edge to stay with the team.
Craig Berube's confidence in him is clear:
«That's how I look at it. He's the type of player that we like. A lot.»
If Minten continues to deliver, the Leafs will have difficulty justifying a demotion and his blend of grit, skill and adaptability makes him a valuable asset to a team aiming to contend for the Stanley Cup like the Leafs.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 6 | 185 ANSWERS Fraser Minten has earned his stay with the Maple Leafs, but who would he replace? Do you think Fraser Minten should stay with the Leafs in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 170 | 91.9 % |
| No | 15 | 8.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
