Maple Leafs Prospect Alex Steeves Sets New Marlies Record with Points in 14-Straight Games
Steeves has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 17 AHL games and has yet to see an NHL game this year.
Alex Steeves is on a tear and just broke a Marlies record in Providence, Rhode Island.
The 24-year-old forward tallied an assist on Dylan Gambrell's first period goal on Friday night, marking his 14th-straight game with a point. Steeves breaks the record set by Spencer Abbott, who had points in 13-straight games with Toronto during the 2013-14 season.
Steeves — during his 14-game point streak — has 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points. He told me in early November during a one-on-one interview that he's feeling more confident this season.
"Offense is coming a little more naturally for me right now," Steeves said. "I really worked hard on my shooting and stickhandling this summer, trying to get back to a confidence level skill-wise that I've had in the past and maybe started to rely on less along the way."
For most of the season, and during his point streak, Steeves has been playing on a line with Dylan Gambrell and Nick Abruzzese. The 24-year-old winger says that both players are "cerebral" and have lots of skill.
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"I like playing with guys like that as long as we're going to maintain our hard-work identity to get the puck back and get it into the interior," Steeves said. "But [Gambrell and Abruzzese are] two guys that are easy to play with, super skilled, able to make high-end plays."
Steeves' point streak is the longest currently among active AHL players. He's 13th in the entire league with 22 points in 17 games this season. Marlies head coach John Gruden says that he's playing well away from the puck, which is allowing him to get the puck even more.
"I just think he's playing with a lot of confidence," Gruden said in November. "Playing in straighter lines, taking a little bit more pride in the 50/50 battles to allow him to have the puck — because he is a really good offensive player, I mean we see that, and again, we want the puck on his stick.
"So, when he continues to feel good, do things right, and stay within our structure, I think he gets a lot more done. And it's good to see him get rewarded with some points."
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