Nikita Kucherov joins Matthews in a mock Leafs lineup

A mock Kucherov trade has produced a Maple Leafs lineup with Nikita Kucherov on Auston Matthews' wing, and on paper it looks scary.

The Leafs lost 3-2 to Utah last night and sit 14th in the NHL at 8-7-2. A fantasy like this lands easily when a team has stalled.

The top line is the whole point. Easton Cowan, Matthews and Kucherov would be a monster, with Matthews already at 11 goals through 17 games and Kucherov arriving with 20 points in 14 games for Tampa Bay.

Here's what the mock skips. The Lightning are 9-3-2, third in the Atlantic Division, and Kucherov had two assists in their 4-2 win over Detroit last night. That doesn't look like a team shopping its best player.

Cowan makes the picture more believable, because Easton Cowan was already tried on Matthews' wing at practice this week. He has 6 goals and 14 points, so the spot isn't a stretch.

IceMetrix slotted Gavin McKenna on the left side of a second line with John Tavares and William Nylander.

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Tavares is the problem with the drawing. He's listed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, expected out until at least Nov 7, the day Toronto plays Montreal, so that second line can't be dressed as shown any time soon.

What this does to Gavin McKenna's role

McKenna has 5 goals and 11 points in 17 games, but he's at a -6 rating. Gavin McKenna skated on the third line at practice Monday, so a jump to the second line would be a real promotion.

The depth is the part that stands up best. Jack Roslovic has 8 goals and scored twice against Utah, and he'd still be a third-line piece, with Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen on the fourth.

A top six this good makes the Leafs' forward group look much deeper than the standings suggest. It also leaves the real question untouched, which is what Toronto would have to send out to get it done, and the mock doesn't answer that.

Kucherov's deal runs out after this season, which only adds to the intrigue. Tampa Bay hosts Chicago on Thursday and Toronto faces Montreal on Saturday, and neither schedule leaves much room for a blockbuster to sneak in.

Also read on Markerzone.com:
Elliotte Friedman reveals where the Kucherov talks stand