The Toronto Maple Leafs may explore signing a former three-time Stanley Cup champion this summer if they fail to re-sign Mitch Marner or John Tavares before or during free agency.
According to James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, that's one possible outcome of the Leafs' upcoming off-season, with both Marner and Tavares set to become free agents on July 1—barring signing a contract extension between the ends of the playoffs and that date.
The two insiders outlined the Leafs' potential offseason roadmap, suggesting that Patrick Kane—a childhood hero of current Leafs captain Auston Matthews—could be a logical target to fill a top-six role if either Marner or Tavares departs.
“Marner leaving could mean a full-time top-line role for William Nylander,” Mirtle and Siegel wrote. “But even if Nylander continues to play away from Auston Matthews more than with him, losing Marner would necessitate the addition of another top-six winger in free agency or via trade.
"It’s possible the Leafs pass on the top UFA wingers and pursue a short-term replacement in the top six to go with a centre in the Tavares/Duchene category.
"In that case, (an intriguing option) would be Matthews’ childhood hero, Patrick Kane.”
Kane, 36, has 52 points in 63 games this season with the Detroit Red Wings while carrying a $4 million cap hit.
"Kane is 36, and there’s injury risk, but the bargain potential is there if he can stay healthy," The Athletic's analysts wrote.
Marner, 27, is expected to seek $13–14 million annually in free agency. The Leafs attempted to trade him before the deadline, but he refused to waive his no-move clause.
Meanwhile, Tavares, who has 69 points in 67 games, is also in the final year of his contract.
While the veteran could return, NHL insider Nick Kypreos noted that his status is directly tied to Marner’s outcome, with Toronto prioritizing re-signing the younger forward.
Kypreos reported that Toronto will delay contract talks with Tavares and fellow upcoming free agent Steven Lorentz until they know whether Marner will be retained.
If one or both walk, then Kane could become more than just a backup plan and join Matthews in Canada after winning three Stanley Cup titles with the Chicago Blackhawks between 2010 and 2015.
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