Lashoff's future with the Leafs was cloudy heading into the summer of 2012. He was coming off a grueling rehab of an ACL injury and his spot on the Marlies' blue line certainly wasn't assured given the depth of that club. Hey -- he always has his music career to fall back on, right? He took a chance on a three-week tryout in Switzerland and signed on with the Zurich Lions right at the end of August. A change of scenery could be good; whether he returns to pro hocky in North America remains to be seen.
Lashoff’s music career may be better right now than his NHL one. This budding singer/songwriter saw his chance at an NHL job pretty much disappear with the arrival of Cody Franson. If he makes the Buds, he’ll be their seventh or probably eighth defender. He’s better served with another season in the AHL.
Once upon a time, Matt Lashoff had potential; you know, the kind that had scouts believing he was a puck-moving, two-way defender with a future in the top pairing. But he proved to be more than a little on the undisciplined side and this one-time first rounder was traded twice in a little more than 16 months. We'll cut him some slack -- he still has the talent to be a regular NHLer who plays on the PP. But the Leafs' D is deep and he won't really get a real shot in Hogtown for a couple years.
Lashoff is a talented offensive defender who can orchestrate the power play. But he's just 22 and needs to establish himself in his own zone -- he was pushed a little too far and too fast last season for his own good. His future is bright but it's a long way off.
Lashoff along with Matt Hunwick, will compete for blueline jobs in training camp. Whether they stick likely hinges on injuries to others, but Lashoff should see some NHL action this year, even if he ends up doing the Providence-Boston-Providence shuffle. He has the upside to be a top four NHL blueliner, but while he has some skills, he's not going to be a stud offensive defenseman, rather he'll be an all-around type.
The 2006-07 season was Lashoff's first and he got into 12 games with Boston, but he spent most of the year with Providence of the AHL. Lashoff plays a solid all-around game and over time, should put up pretty decent point totals in the NHL. He should have a good chance of winning a spot with Boston this season.
Lashoff is one impressive defensive dude. He's mobile and smart with strong breakout abilities, and he preformed extremely well in just seven games in Providence after his OHL season ended. He's young but this kid should be on every keeper league's radar.
Lashoff is a wild card in the 2005 draft. Once touted as a high first round pick, the young defender suffered through a bout of mononucleosis and then a concussion. Obviously, his play suffered immensely but he still managed 22 points in 44 games, which isn't exactly chopped liver.
