CHICAGO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are considered Stanley Cup contenders by analysts and fans because of their offseason of change. NHL players are convinced about their credentials as well.
"If you see young and hungry, I think it's Toronto," said Evgeni Malkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins forward who has won the Stanley Cup three times.
Several players at the NHL Player Media Tour picked the Maple Leafs as one of the teams that should be considered a favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season.
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby, who also is a three-time Cup winner, said his favorites other than the Penguins are the Washington Capitals and the Maple Leafs. The Capitals won the Stanley Cup last season, defeating the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Second Round and the Vegas Golden Knights in the Final.
Toronto was knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season in the Eastern Conference First Round, losing to the Boston Bruins in seven games.
But much has changed since then.
Among them was the signing of unrestricted free agent center John Tavares to a seven-year, $77 million contract July 1. He had 84 points (37 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games with the New York Islanders last season.
Forward Auston Matthews, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, had 63 points (34 goals, 29 assists) in 62 games last season and continues to mature into one of the game's best players.
"I like watching [Auston] Matthews. So big and physical and just so naturally gifted, his hands and shot," said Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, a three-time Cup winner. "Really fun to watch, especially up close and personal when I've skated with him. It's pretty impressive." Kane also listed the Maple Leafs among his favorites to win the Cup.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin cast his Cup vote for the Maple Leafs.
"It's a tough one, but I think with the moves, I think Toronto has a really good chance this year," he said. "I think it's a trend. I think they have a pretty solid [defense] corps, but with the pickup of Tavares, (William) Nylander and Matthews maturing more, I just think they're going to be a dangerous team this year."
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin, who was born in Brampton, Ontario, about 25 miles west of Toronto, also thinks the Maple Leafs could be a major challenger for its first Stanley Cup since 1967.
"There's such a big buzz about them right now," said Seguin, who won the Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
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