from Damien Cox at the Toronto Star,

Stamkos decided Tampa Bay was a much better place for his talents, and that decision has paid off with two Stanley Cup rings. Tavares came for $77 million (U.S.) only to quickly be usurped as the saviour-in-waiting by Auston Matthews, and probably Mitch Marner, too.

That, however, only makes the Kane speculation that much more intriguing as he enters the final season of his long-term contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He would, in theory, be MLSE’s hockey version of Kawhi Leonard, the player from a championship team who could help a team that could never get very far in the playoffs get over the hump.

As a superbly talented player, he would also theoretically demonstrate to Matthews that the team will continue to keep him surrounded by top-drawer talent. As well, following the departure of two elite American players from Calgary this summer, this might be a way for the Leafs to prove they are different, particularly if they could keep the Arizona-born Matthews and the Buffalo-born Kane around for years to come.

So there’s lots here to gnaw on, and the gnawing has truly begun in earnest. There have been “reports” that the Leafs and Hawks have already discussed Kane. As well, former NHLer Paul Bissonnette, now the star of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, has loudly staked his reputation on his belief that Kane will be a Leaf this season.

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