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The Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed 23-year-old winger Josh Leivo to a two-year, one-way contract.

Via CapFriendly on twitter:


Josh Leivo 
2 year / 1 way deal
$612,500 cap hit
2016-17: $575,000
2017-18: $650,000


The Maple Leafs have a crowded depth chart on the wings, especially if we assume Joffrey Lupul and Milan Michalek are both starting the season on the big club, suggesting that there’s a real possibility Josh Leivo will have to be passed through waivers in order to join the Marlies. That said, this cap hit is close to the league minimum and may allow the Leafs to keep Leivo on the big club to start the year.

Leivo has been bounced back and forth between the two leagues with short stints in the NHL in each of the last three seasons, so this is also a reward after a good bounce-back season in the AHL (48 points in 51 games after 32 in 51 the season previous).

While staying healthy has been an issue for him at times, Leivo brings a mix — size, grit, some skill and an NHL shot — that is pretty unique in the Leafs‘ current farm system. His AHL production and his ability to find the net seven times in 28 NHL games despite limited opportunities suggests this is a player worth hanging onto — even if it is ultimately just for one more training camp.