Yes, the Toronto Marlies took a little time away from thinking about their Calder Cup run to take in the NHL draft lottery that saw the Maple Leafs win the first overall pick.

And yes, they’re just as excited about the possibility of having a talent like Auston Matthews join them, even if it means the competition for a job with the big club just got tougher.

“For me, stuff like that brings out the Toronto boy in me,” said Marlies winger Connor Brown. “You just cheer. And from a hockey perspective, it’s going to help this organization.”

Matthews, the likely choice for the Leafs come draft day on June 24, is a centre who’d shake up the team’s depth chart. He has the ability to be a No. 1 centre, but would probably follow the path of Jack Eichel in Buffalo an start out as the No. 2.

Barring any trades or free agent signings, Nazem Kadri — fresh off signing a new deal — would continue to get the tough minutes as the team’s top pivot. Tyler Bozak would probably drop to the third line, a role more befitting his talents. And any of Peter Holland, Brooks Laich or Ben Smith could fill the role on the fourth line.

William Nylander, who has been groomed as a centre, could then switch to the wing. Coach Mike Babcock had hinted Nylander should play there for a season or two.

“Whatever coach wants,” said Nylander. “I like playing centre, but the wing is fine by me, too.”

If there’s one thing the Leafs have plenty of, it’s young wingers ready to make the leap to the NHL. Nylander moving to the wing, perhaps joined by Mitch Marner, could squeeze out Brown, Brendan Leipsic, Zach Hyman, Nikita Soshnikov or Josh Leivo.

“It’s always competition,” said Brown. “The thing is, if you’re good enough to play in the NHL, most of the time you’ll play in the NHL. We’ve just got to worry about ourselves, getting better as a player and as a person.

“In the grand scheme of things, it should work out.”

The Marlies brought in Swedish prospect Andreas Johnson and Erie Otters defenceman Travis Dermott after their respective seasons ended.

Johnson, a seventh-round pick in 2013, went out as a champion with Frolunda. Dermott, a second-round pick in 2015, saw his Otters swept by Marner’s London Knights in the OHL’s Western Conference final.

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