New Report Confirms Maple Leafs Officially a Finalist to Sign Evgeny Kuznetsov

With training camp in full swing, depth doesn't appear to be an immediate issue for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Still, in a league as punishing as the NHL, where injuries are inevitable, no team can truly have "too much depth," especially at center.

Toronto's front office continues to evaluate the roster, and one position that stands out as an area to reinforce is down the middle

According to reports, the Maple Leafs are actively exploring the possibility of signing veteran forward Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov, a former Washington Capitals star, was Alexander Ovechkin's longtime linemate and played a pivotal role in Washington's 2018 Stanley Cup run.

After a midseason trade to Carolina last year, the 32-year-old now finds himself in search of a new home, and appears open to an NHL return after playing briefly in the KHL.

The Maple Leafs wouldn't be alone in their pursuit. Their division rivals, the Florida Panthers, are also believed to have interest, particularly after losing captain Aleksander Barkov for 7-9 months due to injury.

That makes the potential signing even more intriguing for Toronto, not only as a chance to add a skilled playmaker down the middle, but also to keep him out of a rival's lineup.

If the Leafs could bring Kuznetsov in on a low-risk deal, something close to the league minimum or around $1 million, it could be a worthwhile use of cap space. Not only would it bolster Toronto's centre depth, but it would also prevent a key Atlantic Division opponent from filling a critical need.