Swift, Crafty Ondrej Kase One Of Maple Leafs’ Top Additions

It will take a significant addition to unseat one of the best, if not the best addition the Maple Leafs made this offseason: Ondrej Kase.

As rumors abound about the Toronto Maple Leafs’ moves at the March 21 NHL trade deadline, there is talk the Leafs will be looking for help on the wings. But it will take a significant addition to unseat one of the best, if not the best off-season addition Toronto GM Kyle Dubas made this past summer: winger Ondrej Kase.

When he signed a one-year contract with the Leafs, Kase was coming off an injury-plagued 2020-21 season with the Boston Bruins, in which he played only three games. Staying healthy has proven a challenge for the 26-year-old Czech: the most he’s played in a single season is the 63-game-campaign he had for the Anaheim Ducks in 2017-18. However, in that career-best season, Kase scored 20 goals and 38 points; his talent with the puck was clear to any who watched him. But his health concerns led to a trade from the Ducks to the Bruins, and he appeared in only six games for Boston in 2019-20.

It’s semi-understandable now why the Bruins allowed him to walk away for nothing in return last summer. Few people believed in his ability to stay healthy, despite the fact he was still under team control as a restricted free agent. Consequently, when the Leafs signed him to a one-year, $1.25-million contract for this season, people skeptically looked at his year-in, year-out health woes and dismissed his chances of being a difference-maker.

Turns out, people were right to be skeptical of his health – although only to a degree. Kase has missed 12 of Toronto’s 61 games with various ailments, however, in the 49 games he has played in Blue and White, Kase has generated 14 goals and 27 points while averaging only 14:08 of ice time. That puts him sixth in Leafs scoring. That’s excellent value for his contract. That’s just what the team needed him to be – a consistent secondary scoring option who doesn’t hurt you on the back end, and who makes life physically hard on the competition.

Indeed, Kase has this season been an effective two-way contributor who can play on any line and use his speed, and savvy instincts to put the opposition on its heels. And all for a little bit more than $1 million per year. After that performance, what more could you ask of him? Yes, everyone would love him to play 82 regular–season games for the first time, but he pushes himself to the limit as a fearless, fast force who doesn’t mind getting physical. All-in-all, he’s been a gamer you’d want on your team come playoff time.

There is a case to be made for fellow Leafs’ winger Michael Bunting being the Leafs’ best acquisition this year, and it’s compelling. Bunting has been an on-ice annoyance who can also create and conclude scoring plays with his underrated talents on offense. He also makes $300,000 less than Kase, while posting 20 goals and 47 points in 61 games. Bunting has also had the good fortune of spending much more time on Toronto’s top line, alongside superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. If Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe put Kase with Matthews and Bunting, Kase’s individual numbers would be as good as Bunting’s. But putting Kase on the No. 1 line would also mean putting Kase on the left wing, as Marner, like Kase, is a right-hand shot. Bunting is a lefty, and thus, a better fit.

None of the above is a negative comment on Bunting in any sense, but there’s an intangible to Kase’s game that makes him especially exciting to watch. He barrels into corners with what at first glance looks like reckless abandon, but, seen regularly, are the result of his swiftness and desire to win puck battles at any cost. That style of play can shorten careers, but if Kase can learn to pick his spots, he can continue to cause a ruckus in his own way. When he is in the lineup, he instantly makes his team better.

The best part of this: Kase will still be a Leaf next season. Kase is an RFA, all but guaranteed to work out what likely will be a short-term contract. Unfortunately for him, the more games he misses this year, the smaller the salary increase he’ll be getting. But that’s good for Dubas and the Leafs. Kase deserves a raise, but because they still need every available dollar under the NHL salary cap, having Kase’s production at a below-market-value payday will continue to be a positive for the organization.

As someone who doesn’t speak English as his first language, Kase probably doesn’t have enough basic tribal appeal to make him a fan favorite for Leafs fans. But they should take a closer look, and really start to appreciate him. He’s got a worker bee approach, along with elite finishing skills and above-average defensive play. And he very likely will be in Toronto beyond next season. When you debate what Dubas’ best moves have been as Leafs GM, signing Kase has to be at or close to the top of the list.