Bo Groulx wants an NHL job next season.

The 26-year-old native of Rouen, France has been making quite the impression on the Toronto Maple Leafs brass since being called up March 10. Through seven games in blue and white, Groulx has recorded three goals and two assists, and he’s averaging 15:41 per night including playing a huge role on the Leafs’ penalty kill. He’s quickly become an impactful bottom-six centre, and with a wide-open competition heading into next season, there’s a very good chance the Maple Leafs give Groulx every opportunity to make the 2026-27 roster. They may have no choice.

Groulx plays a very in your face, physical style of hockey. He’s hard nosed, has a great work ethic, and has shown off he’s not just a defensive-minded pivot. Groulx has great instincts with, and without the puck, and he hasn’t by shy flaunting off his NHL release. Frankly, Groulx’s got game, and what could be one of his best attributes is the fact he’s making just $812,500 next season.

General manager Brad Treliving has taken a ton of heat recently, and rightfully so, but it’s important to give him his flowers when he deserves it, and in this case, he deserves a ton of praise. The Leafs’ GM signed Groulx on the first day of free agency, after the former second-round pick posted just two assists in 45 games for the Anaheim Ducks. Treliving must have seen something in Groulx’s game that he felt would mesh well with head coach Craig Berube.

While the Groulx signing is making Treliving look good, it comes after an ugly scene at the trade deadline when Scott Laughton was moved for way less than he should have been, and Nic Roy was moved for assets that may never make an impact on this team. Two bottom-six centres moved within a couple of hours, and the gigantic gap in Toronto’s lineup was created, and Groulx is doing his very best to prove to everyone in the Leafs’ organization that he’s more than capable of holding down the fort, down the middle of the fourth line next season.

The fact Groulx kills penalties is certainly a first step. He has great hockey IQ to read plays, get his sticks in passing lanes, and with his above-average speed, can close gaps, and playing an aggressive style down a man. 22 hits in seven games in blue and white will get you more playing time under Berube. However, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows for Groulx’s first impression. He’s struggled in the faceoff dot, winning just 43% of his faceoffs, and if you want to be an NHL regular, especially playing the role he’s after, he’s going to need to be above 50% on draws. Hopefully he puts in the work over the last couple weeks of the season just to push his numbers closer to where they need to be, but honestly, that’s one of the only knocks in his game right now.

The Maple Leafs have bare cupboards when it comes to organizational depth. They only have a few prospects who are going to push for roster spots next season, and it’s success stories like Groulx that Treliving needs to materialize, or else he’s going to be out of a job sooner than later. Having Groulx as a regular next season allows the Leafs to use every resource possible to land a top-six right-winger and a top-pair offensive defenceman. Those are Toronto’s glaring two holes they’ll need to fill throughout the summer.

For now, Treliving and company should have Groulx penciled in as the Maple Leafs’ fourth-line center next season. Under $1 million, a physical brand of hockey, an effective penalty killer, and with limited prospects knocking at the door, the job’s his for the taking.