The Leafs pulled a bunch of trigger fingers on signings and trades super fast, bringing in a ton of new faces for depth. While some of these guys are probably heading for more minor roles, one signing definitely raised some eyebrows: Zack MacEwen inked a two-year deal, and honestly, it felt pretty startling at first glance.
MacEwen’s Grit: A ‘Plan B’ Guy with a Surprise Twist
He’s 30 years old, the definition of a “Plan B player,” and this guy’s seen some tough breaks. He missed almost all of last season after knee surgery. Brutal, right? Elite Prospects, and frankly, I’m with them, expects him to mostly be chilling in the AHL. But get this: he signed a one-way contract, meaning he gets his NHL salary even in the minors, a proper nod to his veteran status. This dude is built like a brick house, 6’4″ and well over 200 lbs, hailing from PEI. Back in junior, when he was just 20, he was a legit offensive force: 74 points in 66 games and racking up serious PIMs. He even had a ton of points in his first pro year with Utica after Vancouver snagged him on an entry-level deal. He leaned hard into physicality and fighting to get his foot in the NHL door. He’s usually a 7-10 minute guy, only once getting close to a full NHL season. He’s not a penalty machine, even in the AHL, just a hard-checking guy who isn’t looking for huge minutes. Here’s the wild part: in preseason, he actually *surprised* the writer. He was fast, effective, playing a solid fourth-liner role. He’s not out there hunting a body count, but if you annoy him, he’ll fight. The writer can actually see him as the 13th forward if Dakota Joshua ends up on IR. That’s big for depth, especially since on the Marlies, he might even get to unleash some of that ‘Plan A game’ from ten years back, just like the tough guys Kyle Dubas used to bring in.
Brisson and Rybinski: Depth, Shots, and Two-Way Deals
Now, Brandon Brisson got inked super late in the summer. Brigstew from our T25 bonus extra pretty much nailed it: this guy is a “shooter without much else.” He’s a powerplay specialist, no doubt. Good offensive skill, vision, and a shot that’ll make your jaw drop. But here’s the buzzkill: he struggles with the NHL’s higher pace. He doesn’t make much impact at 5v5, even offensively. Plus, he’s average-sized and doesn’t play physical at all. Coaches aren’t super endeared to a guy who doesn’t produce and doesn’t play a gritty style. So, the expectation? AHL for Brisson. But hey, his NHL experience could snag him some road-trip recall time. Keep an eye out for that. Oh, and Henrik Rybinski, 25 years old and not even on the T25 list, signed a two-way deal. Quick shout-out: we’re skipping Emil Andrae here, since we just had a full T25 article on him, where he was #6 and noted as Chayka’s first acquisition.
So what does this all mean for the blue and white? These aren’t headline-grabbers, but they’re crucial depth pieces. MacEwen, with his surprising preseason hustle, could be a dark horse for that 13th forward spot. Brisson’s shot is pure fire, even if his overall game needs work. It’s about building out that roster, having options, and making sure the team is ready for whatever the regular season throws at them. The grind is real, and having reliable guys, even in minor roles, makes a huge difference. Let’s see who steps up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
Leave a Reply