The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to sign recently acquired Nic Petan to a two-year contract extension. The news was reported by Sportsnet’s Irfaan Gaffar via Twitter.

Toronto Maple Leafs to Sign Nic Petan to Two-Year Extension

The #Leafs are expected to sign forward Nic Petan to a two-year deal, @sportsnetirf reports.https://t.co/8lbA6mByBT

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 18, 2019

Nic Petan was acquired by the Maple Leafs at this year’s trade deadline from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Par Lindholm. In three games with the Maple Leafs this season, Petan has scored one goal.

So far this season between Winnipeg and Toronto, Petan has scored one goal and added two assists in 16 games.

Over his career, Petan has scored six goals and added 18 assists for 24 points in 111 games.

The 23-year-old from Delta, British Columbia was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, 43rd overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

What This Means for the Future

In Petan, the Maple Leafs have a gifted player maker who possesses a strong hockey I.Q. in all three zones. He also plays a rugged style of game and isn’t afraid to mix it up despite giving up a lot in the size department. Petan is your “sandpaper” type of player, which is certainly needed in the Maple Leafs lineup.

With the depth the Jets have, Petan wasn’t really given a fair shake at cracking the lineup. The once highly touted prospect couldn’t earn a full-time position with the team and was traded for a fourth line centre in Lindholm, who has seen only two games of action with the Jets thus far. Now with the Leafs and on a two-year deal, Petan will have every chance to become an everyday player. At only 23-years-old, he still has a ton of time to develop under coach Mike Babcock. The good news for Petan is Babcock appreciates a player who is willing to put in the work and will certainly reward them for doing so. This could certainly prove to be a very underrated signing by the Leafs.

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