After another disappointing playoff exit, the Maple Leafs have made some big changes this summer, and it appears they've done so with a Stanley Cup or bust mindset.
A big gambit in play
The team opted to move William Nylander to center this year, despite the substantial success he's had on the wing since arriving in the NHL, and now, TSN's Darren Dreger has revealed the bold play the Leafs had in mind when they made that decision.
We can't dismiss it out of hand automatically, you say, ‘Okay, well, can you see Patrick Kane being a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs?' Well, if William Nylander excels at center and becomes a fixture there, you could definitely envision an upgrade on that right side.
According to the NHL insider, the Leafs made the move with the intention of targeting Patrick Kane at some point during the season, and while there's bound to be plenty of interest in him, it's a solid strategy.
A deep, Stanley Cup ready squad
While nothing is set in stone, the Kane to Toronto rumours have been out there this summer, and if the move gets made, we could be looking at the best squad the current Maple Leafs core have ever been supported by with these potential lines.
That lineup features speed, skill, depth, tenacity as well as a blend of youth and experience, and if the team could make this happen and get everyone firing, they may be impossible to stop come playoff time.