With the Maple Leafs still needing a physical presence in the top-six, Evander Kane would give them that on top of a potential top-six scoring threat.
Kane still remains unsigned and with the NHL season quickly approaching, there may be a bit more urgency to find a deal if he wishes to continue playing. The 35-year-old put up 13 goals and 31 points in 71 games for the Canucks last season while also adding 92 PIM and 111 hits.
The 16-year veteran can still offer a physical presence up front and provide some potential top-six scoring help, and for a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs - he makes a lot of sense, that is if they can find the room to sign him.
There's no report linking Kane to the Maple Leafs however, and should be presented as only a hypothetical, though he has reportedly received interest from Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL.
Kane's physical presence is the missing piece in the Maple Leafs lineup
Kane's player profile fits perfectly with Toronto's need for one more physical body to help complement Matthew Knies up front. Kane's ability to crash the net, be a net-front presence, protect teammates physically, and bring an intimidation factor would be a great asset for a team full of fleet-footed playmakers and scorers.
Kane has 339 goals and over 2,300 hits over his career while he's averaged 21 goals and 145 hits over his career with good possession numbers (50.0% CF for his career) and gives Toronto a player that's a bit harder to find. Kane also has 32 playoff goals in 97 games so he'd be able to provide more postseason support too.
Add on top of that he has 54 power-play goals over his career so he can be a screener on the first or second unit, plus has an additional 18 shorthanded goals so he's a threat even on the penalty kill.
If you look at the Maple Leafs top-six, it's a pretty big bunch. Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews are both 6-foot-3, and John Tavares is 6-foot-1. But after that there's a bit of a size difference when you add Gavin McKenna (5-foot-10), Easton Cowan (6 foot), and William Nylander (6 foot).
That's not necessarily the tiniest, but it does lack one more anchoring presence up front and Kane standing at 6-foot-2 and nearly 220 pounds gives them that.
Toronto's biggest hurdle still continues to be money
Though as much as Kane can help the top-six, the Maple Leafs still need to find a way to afford him.
Last season, Kane made $5.125M and has historically always been paid well. Though it's hard to determine exactly the AAV he's looking for as of now. Toronto is $2.75M over the cap and will need to find a way to get under that and pay Kane enough to come over.
Not only that, but Kane would make the 50th contract that the Maple Leafs have signed, which maxes them out leaving no room for a potential PTO signing after camp or waiver claim unless they traded or otherwise dumped a contract off their team.
With a potential Morgan Rielly trade still being discussed, and other potential moves on the way such as waiver placements or other trades the Maple Leafs still have a chance to add Kane, but it'll take some work and he's going to need to agree to come here in the first place.
But he would add a dynamic the Maple Leafs top-six is missing currently and could bring a reliable and versatile presence to the lineup should John Chayka find a way to afford him.
Do you think the Maple Leafs should sign Evander Kane if they can afford it?
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