'You Have to be Willing and Believe in Your Shot': Maple Leafs Prospect Alex Steeves Reveals What's Led to Strong Start with Toronto Marlies

Every area of his game is clicking at the moment, whether it's in the offensive or defensive end. But the biggest area that's allowed Steeves to have the success he's having at the moment comes mentally.

At times last season, it felt like he was lacking confidence. He and several other Marlies players and staff say Steeves is a shooter, but that shooter had 19 goals last year after scoring 23 goals in his rookie year.

It's not a horrible total by any standards. Though I would argue that had his confidence been completely there, Steeves would've blown past his rookie goal mark. But as last season drifts further into the rearview mirror, the 23-year-old's confidence grows larger and larger.

And when that's the case, his level of play also rises.

"The best way to describe it is, I'd look at my two goals in Laval," Steeves said. "I wouldn't have scored either of those goals if I didn't have confidence because I never would have taken either of those pucks into a shooting position to then score, and probably wouldn't have even shot it, either. 

"You have to be willing and believe in your shot to use your shot."

What stands out from both of these clips is how Steeves positions himself and how he uses his body to shield the puck from his opponents. It's critical to how he's able to find the back of the net in several instances this season.

Part of that comes from confidence, but it also stems from where the 23-year-old puts himself before the puck comes to him, similar to his second goal in Laval on the power play. 

The face-off is on the left side of the ice and as Steeves receives the puck, he's on the far right side. He then uses his stickhandling and skating to beat a Laval defender before cutting to the net and scoring.

"I just think he's playing with a lot of confidence but he's doing a lot of things away from the puck that allows him to have the puck more," Marlies head coach John Gruden said. "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."

"For me, when you're off the puck, you gotta be anticipating where it's going to be next, and also, as someone who is a shooter and wants to be a goalscorer, a lot of the times you gotta be thinking about not just advancing the play but where's the best spot to get the puck, in a scoring position," Steeves said. 

"So for me, the things I think about are finding soft spots, getting to the net front as much as possible. I was happy with a nice net-front goal in Belleville. 

"And something, too, that [Gruden] really preaches and has really clicked with me is just trying to face the puck more, not looping away from it. I can still get better at that. And then also just filling lanes. Every system is different and you gotta buy into the system... But, with [Gruden], it's about filling lanes. So for me, it's finding that soft area and really having a plan before I get the puck to really come downhill on it and either pass, shoot, or take it to the net."

So, he's got the confidence, and he's put himself in good positions off the puck. But, there's also the work he's done in the defensive end which had led to more offense too.

Steeves admits that although defense isn't something all players might want to do, it's a part of your game that needs to work if you want to have success at the other end of the rink.

"I think for anybody, really, but especially maybe even guys who are relied upon more offensively, I think defense is kind of like a necessary evil," Steeves said. "You gotta play it to get the puck back and score. And you can position yourself and anticipate transitions that lead to offense, so I'd look at one of the goals we scored in Grand Rapids.

"We're all on the defensive side of the puck, but as soon as it maybe fumbles or something, we all transition, we get going up north, and then the chemistry takes over from there.

"Defense isn't something you want to do, but you're not going to have the puck the whole game in this league, and really, any high level. If you cheat on [defense], you're going to get punished every once and a while. So, yeah, I think we're all just where we need to be and ready to transition because offense is more fun."

To tie a bow on Steeves' start, you have to look at his line, consisting of Nick Abruzzese and Dylan Gambrell. They are two players who have clicked with the 23-year-old right off the hop.

"I mean, [Gambrell] and I have been playing together since (Pontus) Holmberg went up I think, which was after the first two games. We actually had a couple of training camp practices together," Steeves said. 

"Him and I, I think we just have chemistry because he's a pretty cerebral player. Really smart, predictable, and has an ability to make high-end plays. So for me, he's easy to read off of and me being, I'd say, leaning towards more of a shooter but also willing to make plays, I think he knows how to find me and vice versa. And then I think we've also clicked off the ice too. We've got a good friendship. 

"And then with [Abruzzese], I've always thought him and I might be good together and for whatever reason we haven't been together. Another player who's super cerebral, lots of skill. 

"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. But [Gambrell and Abruzzese are] two guys that are easy to play with, super skilled, able to make high-end plays. 

"I still think we can find another level but it's definitely fun playing with both of them."