The Toronto Maple Leafs are among the dozens of teams looking to get their foot in the door in the Nikita Kucherov sweepstakes.
And while Toronto has emerged as one of the early favorites to land the Tampa Bay Lightning's all-time leading scorer, the move won't happen as a result of trade.
If anything, as insider Pierre LeBrun believes, Kucherov's potential arrival in Toronto would be via free agency next summer. And if that's the case, there's on specific situation that could give the Maple Leafs an edge over everyone else.
LeBrun noted in a recent piece in The Athletic that Toronto has something that few other teams can really capitalize on.
"There's no question they have interest. The idea of Kucherov playing with Auston Matthews and Milstein client Kirill Marchenko could be appealing on all fronts."
Since there seems to be a good relationship between Milstein and Maple Leafs GM John Chayka, it wouldn't be surprising to see both sides hammer out a deal for the 33-year-old Kucherov without much of a hitch.
As encouraging as the signs may be, there is plenty of ground to cover before Nikita Kucherov can wear the blue and white.
There is little reason to believe Toronto can put together a trade package that would convince Tampa Bay to part with Kucherov. The Lightning have no incentive to make their all-time leading scorer available cheaply, and the Maple Leafs would likely have to surrender a significant collection of assets to get a deal done.
That is a difficult proposition for Chayka, particularly if the goal is to improve Toronto's roster without sacrificing the pieces needed to remain competitive beyond this season. Even if the Maple Leafs are serious about Nikita Kucherov, a trade simply does not look like a realistic path.
Free agency, on the other hand, changes the equation entirely.
It gives Toronto something a trade would not: Time. Chayka would have until next summer to work through the salary cap, identify contracts that could be moved and create enough room to make Kucherov's next deal fit. That is no small undertaking, especially with several important pieces already on the books, but it is a problem the Leafs can actually plan around.
There is also a difference between trying to outbid Tampa Bay in a trade and convincing Kucherov to choose Toronto as a free agent. The latter would allow the Leafs to keep their prospect pool and trade assets intact while adding an elite offensive talent.
Of course, getting to that point will require some difficult decisions. But if the Maple Leafs has a genuine shot at Kucherov, patience may be its most valuable asset.
Toronto may also have an advantage that goes beyond the opportunity to play alongside Matthews.
The presence of fellow Russians Kirill Marchenko and Sergei Bobrovsky could make the transition to a new organization considerably easier for Kucherov. Having familiar faces around the room matters, particularly for a player who would be leaving Tampa Bay after building his career there.
Marchenko, in particular, could be an important part of the pitch. The two would share a language and cultural connection, while Bobrovsky could offer another familiar presence away from the rink. That may not be enough to decide a free-agent's future, but it certainly wouldn't hurt the Maple Leafs' chances.
Then there is the hockey itself.
The idea of Kucherov playing alongside Matthews is difficult to dismiss. Matthews gives him a legitimate superstar down the middle, while William Nylander provides another dynamic offensive option. And if Gavin McKenna develops into the kind of impact player Toronto expects, the prospect of joining that group becomes even more appealing.
For a player entering the later stages of his career, the chance to compete alongside that kind of talent could be particularly attractive. Nikita Kucherov would not have to carry the offensive load alone, and Toronto could build a formidable attack around several high-end players.
None of this guarantees the Maple Leafs will land him. There is a long way to go before free agency, and plenty of teams will have their own pitch ready. But Toronto has a compelling combination of roster talent, familiar faces and a potentially workable relationship between Chayka and Kucherov's representation.
The Leafs may not be able to trade for Kucherov. They might not need to.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
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