THREE THINGS: McLeod's NHL Stint

From an unexpected season debut to a career first, Devils forward prospect Michael McLeod spent 12 games in the NHL this past season. In Binghamton, he suited up for 47 AHL games where he scored eight goals and 15 assists. When McLeod joined the NHL roster this season, teammates were quick to notice new-found confidence in the 22-year-old. And while that confidence may not have translated into goals, it's another step in the right direction for the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Here are Three Things about Michael McLeod, presented by Wawa.

1. READY, SET, GO!

McLeod's first call-up this season came while on a lengthy road trip. With the Devils management preparing to trade Taylor Hall to Arizona, McLeod was called up to be an extra forward body. While he wasn't sure when exactly he'd get in the lineup - if at all - his season debut came rather unexpectedly.
"Coach gave me a heads up at morning skate that I might be in, but then I looked around right before the game and everyone seemed like everyone was good to go," McLeod said after making his season debut.
In fact, he was right at the time. But Taylor Hall was made a late scratch, on the heels of being traded so suddenly McLeod drew into the lineup for his season debut.
"It was nice not thinking about it much and just playing that night," he added.
McLeod would go on to play 12 games in the NHL during the 2019-20 season.

2. A CAREER FIRST

A night after making his season debut, McLeod would reach a career-first. Against the Arizona Coyotes, McLeod would register his only two points of the season. It marked the first time in his 33 NHL games that he had a two-point night.
McLeod assisted on Jesper Boqvist's opening goal at 2:17 of the first period and again in the third period, assisting on Kyle Palmieri's game-winner at 11:34.
McLeod has five points in his 33 NHL games but is still in search of his first NHL goal.

3. SHACKING UP

McLeod and his fellow Devils prospect Nathan Bastian go a long way back. The two Ontario born players played their junior hockey together with the Mississauga Steelheads and were eventually drafted by the same NHL team. Now, the two play with the Binghamton Devils on a regular basis.
So, not only are the best friends and teammates, but they are also housemates. The two decided to rent an apartment together in Binghamton last season. So how exactly has that worked out for McLeod? Well, it seems like Bastian rules the roost.
"Usually when we're picking rooms, Nate gets the first pick. Our house last year, he had a double king for his bed, and I could barely fit [a bed]," McLeod joked to the Devils Pausecast in May. "So, it's ultimately what Nate doesn't want."
Bastian agreed.
"I kind of take over and am the coordinator as far as finding our house goes," he added on the podcast, "I put all the work in, I get us the best deal, and then as a result I get to pick the best room. So if Mike wants to do that next year I'll let him take the reins."

AND ONE MORE THING...

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