There’s no definitive path to the Stanley Cup, but strength up the middle is generally an important part of the recipe. A majority of the best teams from the past decade were built around a couple of elite centres and the Toronto Maple Leafs are following that blueprint.



On July 1, the Leafs upped the ante by signing superstar centre John Tavares to a seven-year deal, manufacturing their best shot at winning a Stanley Cup since 1967. It’s been a long time coming, but with Tavares in the fold next to Auston Matthews, the lengthy wait feels like it’s nearing its end. A 1-2 punch of Tavares and Matthews is a championship-calibre duo, one that’s very much in the conversation for the league’s best.



Oddsmakers currently have Toronto as the preseason Stanley Cup favourite after the news and it’s hard not to see why: the team has an embarrassment of riches at hockey’s most important position. Tavares is arguably a top 10 pivot in the...