The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a sneaky but potentially impactful move by acquiring forward Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks. While not a blockbuster deal that will dominate headlines, this trade signals a clear shift in the Leafs’ identity: tougher, grittier, and harder to play against. But like any move, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s break it down.
✅ Pros of Acquiring Dakota Joshua
1. Physical Presence and Grit
Joshua is 6’3”, 210 lbs, and doesn’t shy away from contact. The Leafs have long been criticized for being too easy to play against in the postseason. Joshua brings a mean streak, a heavy forecheck, and a willingness to get involved in scrums—something this team has lacked in recent playoff runs.
2. Bottom-Six Upgrade
Toronto’s fourth line often lacked consistency last season. Joshua can play both center and wing, kill penalties, and chip in timely goals. He’s not just a goon—he scored 18 goals and added 14 assists in 77 games last season. That’s legitimate production from a bottom-six player.
3. Playoff Style of Play
His game translates to the postseason. Joshua excels in puck battles, forechecking, and bringing momentum-shifting hits. He played meaningful minutes in the playoffs for Vancouver and proved he can hold his own under pressure.
4. Cost-Effective Contract
Assuming Toronto didn’t give up a significant asset or take on too much salary, Joshua’s contract (reportedly under $2M AAV) is manageable. He’s signed for two more seasons, giving the Leafs some stability in their bottom six at a reasonable cost.
❌ Cons of the Trade
1. Limited Offensive Ceiling
While his production is solid for a fourth-liner, Joshua likely won’t move the needle offensively. If the Leafs are counting on him to play higher up the lineup or fill a top-9 scoring role, they may be disappointed.
2. Penalty Risk
With his physical play comes a tendency to take penalties. He had over 70 PIM last season, and while some of that is “good” physicality, it can also lead to unnecessary infractions—something that can burn the Leafs, especially in tight playoff games.
3. Potential Logjam in the Bottom Six
The Leafs now have a crowded bottom six with players like David Kämpf, Ryan Reaves, Noah Gregor (if re-signed), Pontus Holmberg, and others. Joshua might take a spot away from a younger, homegrown talent unless there are further moves coming.
4. What Was the Cost?
Until full details of the trade are revealed, it’s fair to wonder what Toronto gave up. If the cost included a high draft pick or promising prospect, the move might look worse in hindsight—especially if Joshua regresses or doesn’t fit the Leafs’ system.
Final Take: A Move for Playoff Hockey
This is a Brad Treliving move, through and through. Think back to his time in Calgary—he likes physical players who can grind and disrupt. Joshua fits that mold. For a Leafs team trying to shed the “soft” label and finally get over the hump in the playoffs, this is a smart, targeted acquisition. He’s not the solution, but he’s a piece of the puzzle.
It may not trend on Twitter, but come April, Dakota Joshua could be the kind of guy who makes a difference in a 2-1 playoff game.
What do you think, Leafs Nation? Is Dakota Joshua the type of player we’ve been missing? Or is this just another band-aid on a deeper issue? Let me know in the comments below.
Go Leafs GO‼️
