«Okay, before you get snippy, hear us out: let's assume the Maple Leafs falter early in the playoffs once again this spring.
«In the wake of that disappointment, there will likely be a massive change in Toronto - and what better way to effect significant culture change than to sign a proven winner and Leafs-haunter in Marchand?
«He'd have to acclimate to playing in the huge hockey fishbowl that is Toronto, but it's not as if Marchand isn't used to that in Boston.
«The Leafs might be a bigger long-shot than Pittsburgh on this list, but if Marchand values playing in another Original Six market where hockey is everything, he could spend his remaining few seasons in Toronto and be an integral part of what could be something special.
«The Leafs would be motivated buyers for him, and he'd fill an obvious need for grit and spunk.»