Maple Leafs Dakota Joshua Could Matter More Than It Looks

Some players you watch because they're going to score 30 goals. Then there are players you watch because you notice them when they aren't there. Dakota Joshua is one of those players.

The Maple Leafs aren't sure whether Joshua will be ready for Opening Night against Montreal on Sept. 29. Jim Hiller said Monday that Joshua's undisclosed injury could affect his availability, although he is skating. That's not exactly headline news in September. But for the Maple Leafs, it may be worth watching.

The Maple Leafs could be better if Joshua were in their lineup.

Joshua played only 55 games in his first season with Toronto, scoring 10 goals and eight assists while putting up 195 hits. Those aren't superstar numbers, but that's not why Toronto brought him in. They brought him in because he can make life uncomfortable. And I like that about his game.

There is something useful about having a player who can get around the net, finish a chance when it comes to him, and make the other team pay a physical price along the way. The Maple Leafs have spent a lot of time this summer talking about getting bigger, harder to play against and better suited for playoff hockey. Joshua fits that conversation pretty nicely.

The important part is that he isn't just a guy who runs around looking for somebody to hit. When he's playing well, he has hockey skill underneath the physical game. That's the combination Toronto needs.

The Maple Leafs have some elite players. Joshua can help them be successful.

The Maple Leafs have plenty of players who can make a pretty play. What they haven't always had is enough players who can make that pretty play while also making the opponent uncomfortable around the net. Joshua can potentially do both.

That's why the injury matters a little more than it might appear on the surface. This isn't about replacing a 30-goal scorer. It's about having the right pieces available when the games start getting difficult. If Toronto really wants to play a heavier, more physical style, Joshua is one of those players who can help make that style real instead of just something we heard about in September.

And here's the thing about players like Joshua: You don't necessarily appreciate them until they're missing. Maybe he'll be perfectly healthy and ready to go on Opening Night. Maybe he'll miss some time.

For now, there's not much point in worrying about it. But I'm certainly hoping he gets back quickly.

I've become a bit of a Dakota Joshua fan.

I like a player who brings some pushback to his game and still has enough skill to contribute. The Maple Leafs will need some of that—especially if they get to the postseason, where every game starts to matter. Sometimes you appreciate a player most when he isn't there.