Maple Leafs Stanley Cup contender checklist: A draft lottery win changes everything

Earlier this week, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery and to say that changes things would be an understatement.The Leafs weren’t completely doomed after finishing 28th last season, but new GM John Chayka would’ve had his work cut out for him. An ageing roster, a lack of assets and a two-year timeline for their franchise player made the situation extremely tricky to navigate. The clock wasn’t just ticking; it was close to midnight. It would’ve taken every ounce of creativity to reopen Toronto’s seemingly shut window; four lottery balls changed that in an instant.Advertisement