The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially been eliminated from the NHL playoffs this season, and their final six games can be used as a testing ground. That is at least what the head coach Craig Berube‘s latest roster move suggests.
On Saturday, Toronto announced it had recalled defenseman William Villeneuve from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
“D William Villeneuve has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency basis,” the Canadian franchise announced.
The reason is the recent lower-body injury suffered by Swedish Oliver Ekman-Larsson. That said, Berube confirmed Saturday that Villeneuve, 24, will not play immediately and will begin only as a depth piece in case another injury occurs.
Even so, it would not be far-fetched to see Villeneuve finally make his NHL debut, given that the Toronto franchise is already out of playoff contention. His AHL numbers make it interesting to see him at the highest level.
In the 2025-26 season, Villeneuve has appeared in 58 games with the Marlies, recording three goals and 25 assists for 28 points. He has accumulated 64 penalty minutes, suggesting the young defenseman brings a heavy physical game — something highly valued by Berube.
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Villeneuve had already been called up to a couple of Toronto practice sessions during the Olympic break in February, but did not make his debut. At the time, the Toronto Sun interviewed him, and the defenseman revealed he was working on developing a more direct game.
“I don’t think my game has been exactly what I wanted it to be. But I’m turning a corner and trying to focus on the last stretch of the season and be the player that I know I can be,” Villeneuve said. “It’s about being a little bit more direct. I think my defending has been a little bit better, but sometimes when you start overthinking, you don’t move the puck as quick.”
As with Villeneuve’s case, it cannot be ruled out that Berube recalls other Marlies talents for these final regular-season games, or even gives greater prominence to young players already regularly on the main roster, such as forward Easton Cowan.
Perhaps the Maple Leafs will find a couple of interesting solutions heading into next season, which appears set to be a rebuilding campaign.