Call me an unabashed optimistic, but I get definite Carter Verhaeghe vibes from Arshdeep Bains.
Verhaeghe was drafted by the Leafs in the third round of the 2013 entry draft, but was traded to the Islanders before ever suiting up for the Leafs.
His first two pro seasons were split between the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL. He was a decent scorer in the minors, but nothing to write home about.
It wasn't until he was traded to Tampa in 2017 that his career started to take off. He had 17 goals and 31 assists his first year with the Syracuse Crunch. And then really exploded in year two, wracking up 34 goals and 48 assists in his second year with the Crunch.
Finally in year three in the Tampa organization, he was recalled to the Lightning and never looked back. He's been a consistent scorer, even adding 42 and 34 goal seasons after he left Tampa as a UFA and signed with Florida.
Bains certainly has the scoring touch. The only question is whether or not he can pick up the step he needs to cement place in the NHL. But back in the day, that was also the knock on Verhaeghe.
Sometimes players do keep on getting better in the minors. Hopefully the undrafted Bains is one of them.