What Should Maple Leafs’ Fans Expect from Nicolas Aube-Kubel?

The Maple Leafs signed Nicolas Aube-Kubel to a one-year $1 million contract on the first day of free agency. Given the team’s propensity of signing bottom-six players for inexpensive contracts, there must have been something about Aube-Kubel that attracted the attention of the organization because they paid more than the NHL’s league minimum. At the same time, the fact that it was a one-year contract makes it a bit of a “show-us” deal. 

What’s Aube-Kubel’s Background?

The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Aube-Kubel at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft (48th overall). Aube-Kubel is now 26 years old. With the Flyers, he played 102 regular season games and 13 playoff games over four seasons. When the Flyers placed him on waivers last season, Aube-Kubel was fortunately claimed by the Colorado Avalanche. 

With Colorado, he then played 67 regular-season games and 14 playoff games. The result of those games was a Stanley Cup victory. 

What Should Maple Leafs Fans Expect from Aube-Kubel?

Number One: Fans Should Not Expect Lots of Scoring

Aube-Kubel does not score tons. In the 169 regular-season games played in the NHL, he’s scored 50 points (21 goals and 29 assists). He’s also scored two more goals and added an assist (for three points) in the postseason. 

Number Two: Fans Should Expect Lots of Tenacity

For as tenacious Aube-Kubel is, it’s a surprise that he’s not that big. He stands at 5-foot-11 and weighs 187 pounds. Fans should expect – and, in fact, Aube-Kubel promised it – that he’d be tenacious. He’s tough, physical, and not afraid to hit. Over his last three seasons, he’s averaged 166 hits per 82 games played.