Fansided

5 Toronto Maple Leafs who need to step up in Mitch Marner’s place

By Mary Clarke

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Mitch Marner #16 and John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on November 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Mitch Marner #16 and John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on November 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 18: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pontus Aberg (46) turns to chase the play during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 18, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 18: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pontus Aberg (46) turns to chase the play during first period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 18, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Pontus Aberg, RW

The Maple Leafs acquired Pontus Aberg in free agency over the offseason, and the forward has yet to take the ice for his new team in the regular season through nearly two months of play. Aberg is the Marlies’ leading scorer this season, with 13 points in 13 games while leading the team in goals with eight on the season.

Aberg doesn’t seem long for the Marlies should he continue to rack up the points in the AHL. The 26-year-old forward has played 127 games in his NHL career, with 43 points during that span. Aberg isn’t the most prolific NHL scorer, but has the skill to hold his own on a team’s bottom-six, if his highlights are any indication.

The Maple Leafs have yet to call up or assign Aberg this season, and the team ultimately may keep him in the minors should other players shine over him. In the meantime, however, Toronto will likely keep an open mind when it comes to call ups over the next few weeks with Marner’s injury, and Aberg would no doubt be a prime candidate to step into the Maple Leafs’ lineup.

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