Josh Leivo is getting another chance to prove himself with a new one-year deal worth $875,000 with the Calgary Flames.
The #Flames have signed forward Josh Leivo to a one-year contract with an AAV of $875,000.
Welcome to the #CofRed, @jleivo17! https://t.co/WEnBUBZmlf
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 24, 2020
Josh Leivo Signs With Calgary Flames
The hard-luck Leivo is coming off a one-year “Show Me” deal with the Vancouver Canucks. Unfortunately, a broken kneecap both ended his season early and kept him out of the playoffs for 2019-20. The 2011 third-round draft pick played his first full season in 2018-19, splitting 76 games between Vancouver and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to that, he was stuck behind a deep Leafs’ squad, playing just 57 games in five years.
He only got to 36 games last season before it was cut short by a broken kneecap. The original two-or-three month target to return eventually became “back for the playoffs.” Then “back for the NEW playoffs in July.” That was also proven wrong, and his focus instead became coming back for the 2020-21 start. There was some question whether he would be able to return at an NHL level at all.
Leivo scored seven goals and 19 points in just 36 games in 2019-20, mostly playing on the second line. That was more than enough to earn another chance to see how well his rebuilt knee holds up.
What This Means For The Future
Leivo is a perfectly serviceable middle-six forward who may not be the best skater but can move the puck well. His numbers from last season show he can play with offensive players, and he’s smart enough to play well defensively. What his new team is getting is a 27-year-old left-winger with a chip on his shoulder. For Josh Leivo, it’s his second real shot at earning a long-term deal. His career timing has been awful through no fault of his own, and the flat cap is no different. On the plus side, expansion is coming. Even if he doesn’t stick with his current team, he’s determined to show the Seattle Kraken he’s earned consideration.
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