TORONTO — For Josh Leivo, there’s a silver lining to not becoming a Golden Knight.

After four seasons of toil, holding on to hope from the fringes of Toronto’s roster, he’s still part of what should be the most competitive Maple Leaf teams in years. While going to the incoming Las Vegas club via the expansion draft might have worked in the long run, he’d be starting from scratch there with many like-minded forwards on their second, third or perhaps last chance as NHLers.

Instead, Leaf coach Mike Babcock told him in their late April exit meeting to keep plugging away this summer, an early signal he’d be protected in the expansion draft. As Leivo’s 24th birthday passed, he was indeed on Toronto’s safe list after many thought he’d be exposed and be the Knights’ selection from the Leafs. Instead, Vegas took sniper Brendan Leipsic of the AHL Marlies.

“You didn’t know what was going to happen at the time, but when they informed me they wanted to keep me, it was wonderful to hear,” Leivo said this week as the Leafs conduct informal summer workouts. “They wanted to develop me and keep me on the roster. I’m very excited they gave me that opportunity. I just want to go out this year and prove myself to them.”

Leivo, however, will once again face some daunting obstacles to working his way off the taxi squad.

Right wingers William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Connor Brown won’t just give up their spots. That trio, all younger than Leivo, as well as veteran fourth line pest control expert Matt Martin, missed a total of only six regular season games last year. The left side is crowded, too.

But Leivo just never goes away, with 10 points in 13 games last year and a combined 18 points in 41 games since his NHL debut in 2013-14. That would put him close to 40 points when projected through a full season, hence the attraction for Vegas or perhaps other teams in future trade talks.

The Innisfil, Ont., native garnered praise — and even some power play duty — from Babcock when he did get ice time. But Leivo’s part-time status also subjected him to some roster machinations.

Vague injuries and a five-game conditioning stint with the Marlies that still saw him unable to play upon return constantly clouded his status in 2016-17. And this year, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov and other Marlie forwards might further intensify the job hunt when crucial exhibition games roll around next month.

“Young guys are fighting for spots, but I feel it’s like that every year here,” Leivo said. “As you get older, you realize what’s at stake and you want to make the most of the chance. We have a group who built a lot of chemistry last year. Even when I wasn’t playing, they were still great to me and when I got in, I felt like I hadn’t missed a game. Hopefully this season is even better.

“They knew I did well last year and I think Mike was excited to give me another shot.”

BROWN’S NUMBER UP

The numbers have yet to add up for restricted free agent Brown on a new contract, but he’s shifting upwards in sweater digits.

Brown has been sporting a 28 on his helmet during workouts, anticipating he’ll concede 12 to incoming VIP Patrick Marleau, who wore that for many years with the San Jose Sharks.

“It’s a matter of respect,” Brown said of the 37-year-old Marleau’s seniority.

Is there to be the traditional gift exchange on Marleau’s part for Brown’s gesture?

“We’ll be talking,” laughed Brown, adding that 28 was his number with the OHL Erie Otters.

Brown has been reluctant to discuss contract this summer, but money should open up under the salary cap by opening night.

Kapanen, meanwhile, would have to seek a new number if Brown takes 28.

LOOSE LEAFS

NHL guests at the Leaf skates this week included locals Sean Monahan of the Calgary Flames and Cory Conacher of the Tampa Bay Lightning. There must have been some barbs on the ice with the Marlies in attendance after Conacher’s Syracuse Crunch eliminated them in a seven-game series in May ... Forward Dominic Toninato, a 2012 mid-round draft pick who did not agree to a contract with the Leafs after graduating last year from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, signed a two-year entry level contract with the Avalanche on Wednesday. He was the Bulldogs' captain in his senior year, with 29 points in 42 games and a team-best plus-25 rating ... Goalie Antoine Bibeau was not brought back by the Leafs this year, moving to the Sharks on a two-way deal. To beef up their minor league depth behind Garret Sparks and Kasimir Kaskisuo, the Marlies’ No. 1 at the end of last season, Toronto has added Cal Heeter on an AHL contract. He was briefly a Marlie two years ago.

lhornby@postmedia.com