TORONTO — No matter what happens, this is the year of the Toronto Maple Leafs.



Win or lose, sink or swim, Stanley Cup or disaster around the corner, the Leafs are going to absolutely dominate the headlines in the hockey world.



One could argue they always do, but the addition of John Tavares to a talented, young and rising squad is going to put the media circus on steroids.



It started on July 2 when Vegas oddsmakers listed the Leafs as Stanley Cup favorites a day after landing the biggest UFA star in years.



And so as I get back to work after a refreshing summer off, there’s no question I had to tackle this idea of what the Leafs are, what they could be, and the pressure that awaits.



I canvassed a few GMs, coaches and other front-office types from the league over the past week and found a very mixed reaction to what these guys expect from the Leafs this season.



“Vegas has them as the favorite to win the Cup, I...