• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Toronto Maple Leafs

Your Guide to Maple Leafs Depth Forwards, Vol. 5

By James Tanner September 21st, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

By now, you probably know the deal: the Leafs acquired a whole bunch of second through fourth line forwards this summer and now have a lot more depth at the bottom of the lineup than they previously did and, going into training camp, should have about 9 or 10 players fighting for 5 or 6 jobs. We don’t always know all that much about the guys who are not star players, and since there were so many of them added this summer, I thought a project leading up to the season profiling these players would be a good idea.

Today we will look at Daniel Winnik. Here are the links to previous entries in the series:

Volume 1: Mike Santorelli 

Volume 2: Petri kontiola

Volume 3: Matt Frattin

Volume 4: Leo Komarov

(Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

(Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Daniel Winnik

Originally drafted in the 9th round, 265th overall, in the 2004 NHL entry draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, Winnik has, considering his draft position, carved himself out a very nice NHL career, owing mostly to his incredible work ethic and the hardness with which he competes.

Never a big scorer, the 6’2 210 lbs Winnik has played 490 career NHL games, scoring 49 goals and twice notching 11 for a career high. He had his best season in the league last year when, playing for the Ducks, he scored 30 points. Despite having his best year in the NHL, the Ducks declined to re-sign him and he had to take a $500,000 pay cut to sign a one year deal with the Maple Leafs this summer.

A home-town, Toronto born C/winger who shoots left and is  a primarily a defensive forward.  While his size and role suggest he should be more physical, Winnik has at times been criticized for soft play.  Or, if not exactly “soft,” Winnik  is criticized for not using his rather large body to more effect. However, it’s only fair to note that that is probably at least partly a product of people having a an idea of how a 3rd/4th line forward is supposed to play. Winnik may not run around the ice crushing people and getting into fights, but he is a strong defensive player who doesn’t take  a lot of penalties, and that is in itself a valuable commodity. Winnik will be looking to find a home on Toronto’s fourth line this season.

The 29-year-old Winnik provides the Leafs with an above average penalty killing forward, whose defense is his calling card. His offense is limited, although 30 points is certainly a nice number for a player in his role, it’s not something that can be banked on. If he makes the Leafs, it will be as a penalty killer and a guy who can skate on the fourth line and not be a liability. The Leafs can use Winnik in a shutdown role, and his positional versatility and because he’ll chip in the odd goal, he should become a valuable member of the team.

Another good thing about Winnik is his skating. Should he make the team, he will fit in nicely with the Leafs, who hope to be one of the NHL’s fastest teams.  Winnik isn’t the leagues fastest skater, but he is quick and extremely  hard to knock off the puck, which is why he’s such a good penalty killer. People note that Winnik is also very calm, and that he doesn’t panic with the puck or lose his cool very often.

Honestly, for the money the Leafs are paying him, and considering that he skates well and is a way above average defensive player who can play multiple positions and line up on the 3rd or 4th line, the Leafs are getting a bargain here. The Leafs had one of the worst penalty kills last season and Winnik can only help improve it this year.  If he puts up 20-25 points, helps give the Leafs a 4th line they can play more than six minutes per game, and contributes to an improved penalty kill, Winnik will provide some of the best dollar for dollar value in the NHL on his dirt-cheap contract.

Look for him to make the team and play a regular shift.

 

  • Tags
  • Daniel Winnik
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 27th 5:45 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers Goaltending Struggles Show Georgiev Is Best Option

Jan 27th 5:30 PM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Holl, Andersen, Marner, Matthews & Woll

Jan 27th 5:20 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Season Ticket Sales at UBS Arena Exceeding Expectations

Jan 27th 5:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

4 Ups and 4 Downs Eight Games Into Oilers 2020-21 NHL Season

Jan 27th 4:35 PM
Column

Blues Weekly: Standout Performances Highlight .500 Week

Jan 27th 4:15 PM
Arizona Coyotes

Soup To Nuts, Coyotes Make Moves To Improve On All Levels

Jan 27th 4:05 PM
Commentary

3 Stars That Could Be Traded in the Wake of the Laine/Dubois Deal

Jan 27th 3:55 PM
Editor's Choice

3 Best Edmonton Oilers to Never Win a Stanley Cup

Jan 27th 3:45 PM
Fantasy

Kings’ 5 Most Valuable Players for Fantasy Hockey

Jan 27th 3:35 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Why Burke Anticipates the Tortorella, Laine Relationship Will Be ‘Just Fine’ [Video]

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information