Maple Leafs organization sign young enforcer to eventually replace Ryan Reaves

The position of the NHL enforcer is a dying breed. Players like Ryan Reaves used to be on every single NHL roster to protect the stars. Today they are few and far between but in recent years the role might be starting to make a comeback.

Last season the New York Rangers took the initial leap to repopularize the position calling up young enforcer Matt Rempe. After his success and popularity there has been buzz about other coming up through the ranks. The Toronto Maple Leafs have potentially signed the next great enforcer which is a position they clearly value currently having Ryan Reaves.

According to Tony Androckitis the Toronto Marlies the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs have signed forward Zach Solow. This signing is a reunion between the two sides after Zach Solow played 66 games with the Marlies last season. In that time he amassed 26 points but more impressively 132 penalty minutes.

With these kinds of stats, Zach Solow has shown an ability and willingness to take on the enforcer role. On top of that, he also produced fairly well offensively for a player who spent that much time in the penalty box. The biggest problem for Zach Solow is he is undersized at 5'9.

If the Maple Leafs are looking to continue their enforcer role but want a younger player then Zach Solow could be the solution. With Ryan Reaves still under contract for several years, it could be a long shot but if Zach Solow continues to improve offensively the two could co-exist on the same team without taking away from the offensive part of the game.

Zach Solow will begin the season in the AHL but don't be surprised if he gets called up to the NHL if he begins the season on a hot streak both in points and fights.

Source: Maple Leafs Daily
Maple Leafs sign prospect who posted 132 penalty minutes last season