Dakota Joshua is finally becoming the player the Maple Leafs expected

Dakota Joshua is starting to look like the player the Maple Leafs thought they were getting this summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs v Buffalo Sabres | Joe Hrycych/GettyImagesWhen the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks over the summer, they believed they were adding a high-energy, physical forward who could thrive in a hard, forechecking system. Early on, that vision didn’t materialize. But over the past few weeks, Joshua has begun to look like the player Toronto hoped they were getting, and his emergence has come at a critical time as the Leafs fight to stay in the playoff picture.

A slow start and a reality check

Joshua’s season got off to a rough start. From…