Is Denis Malgin Bound for the Maple Leafs Top Six?

We know from experience that Denis Malgin is a skilled hockey player – at least in Europe. But can he make it in the NHL, which as he noted is the best league in the world? Or will he fail to make the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster yet again and slide back home to Switzerland to star there?

The 25-year-old Malgin wants to play in the NHL and he’s determined to give it his best shot. As he noted, “The NHL is the best league in the world, so you always have that mind to come back.” He added clearly, “That was my goal.”

Malgin Had a Great 2021-22 Season in Zurich

Last season Malgin went home to Switzerland to hone his hockey craft. And he was successful. He was the leading scorer on last year’s Zurich Lions, playing center and scoring 21 goals and adding 31 assists (for 52 points) in 48 games. He played in every situation. During the World Championships in May, he scored 12 points.

During the Maple Leafs’ first preseason game, Malgin played on a line with William Nylander and Pontus Holmberg. He looked good. Yesterday at practice, with Adam Gaudette out with a sore shoulder, Malgin got bumped into the second line role with center John Tavares and (once again) William Nylander.

Head Coach Sheldon Keefe Liked What He’s Seen from Malgin

When Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe was asked how he thought Malgin fared with Tavares and Nylander, the word was that he “looked really good again today.”

Then Keefe was more specific, noting that Malgin “made a ton of plays. He is a confident guy at protecting the puck and getting it to others. What we have seen from him in this camp early on is an extra hunger and competitiveness to get the puck back. If you are going to be an undersized, skilled player who is going to have any success in the NHL, you have to have that intangible or it is very difficult.”