Montreal Canadiens: Five Depth Wingers The Habs Could Sign as Free Agents

4. Josh Leivo

Josh Leivo was a victim of one of Mike Babcock’s many odd coaching decisions. In the 2016-17 season, Leivo played five games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and 13 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The following year he played just 16 games with the Maple Leafs. He served as a healthy scratch the rest of the season.

In 2018-19, he was finally, mercifully dealt to the Vancouver Canucks and they quickly found out if they put him on the ice, he is actually pretty effective. The Innisfil, Ontario native has moved up and down the Canucks lineup for the past season and a half and has proven to be an effective winger.

Last season, he scored ten goals and 18 points in 49 games. This season, he scored seven goals and 19 points in 36 contests. So, in total, Leivo has 37 points in 85 games in a Vancouver Canucks jersey. That is without getting any time on the top power play, and mostly playing a second, or third line role with the team. Leivo has bounced around every line on the team, but he is able to do that because he is a versatile player, plays either wing and can be relied on defensively.

This would make him an interesting player on the Habs roster. Can he start the year on the fourth line with Byron and Evans? Absolutely. Can be play a handful of games with Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin because the lineup needs a shakeup? Definitely. Can he slide in next to Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar because Brendan Gallagher is injured? No problem.

Mike Babcock might not have seen it, but Leivo is a smart, two-way player. He would likely come fairly cheap, but the 26 year old might be looking for a little term after being Babcock’s punching bag for two years. He has good size at 6’2″ and close to 200 pounds, can play anywhere in the lineup and is not an older player just yet. He could be a great fit with the Habs for two or three years at less than $2 million per season.