The Toronto Maple Leafs Fumbled the 2021 Expansion Draft.
In 2017, when the Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL, they proved that through the expansion draft a team can become immediate contenders. When the Seattle Kraken joined in 2021, their impact was not as great. However, the franchise’s best move was to the detriment of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
For a full year leading to the 2021 Kraken Expansion Draft, teams positioned themselves in preparation.
The Maple Leafs were no different. General Manager Kyle Dubas had a plan that he and the organization wanted to execute.