Winning the first pick in the NHL lottery is one thing, fixing what’s wrong with the Maple Leafs is quite another.

Those that bleed blue and white may walk a little taller knowing a cornerstone centre in Auston Matthews could be on his way if his name is announced at the podium on June 24.

But the work of preparing for next season continues, and getting the team out of the basement is management’s top priority.

“Getting the opportunity to draft first has not changed any of the thought process as far as how we get better,” said Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello. “There are no shortcuts.”

Lamoriello took in Marlies practice on Sunday and seemed happy to talk about anything or anyone other than Matthews, guiding his answers so as not to tip his hat to the team’s draft plans.

“There’s no question he’s an outstanding player, but there are a lot of outstanding players in this draft,” said Lamoriello.

Certainly there is much to like about the direction of the Maple Leafs. Their most promising young players are competing with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL’s Calder Cup playoffs.

When called up to the Leafs toward the end of last season, the likes of William Nylander and Connor Brown showed they had NHL potential. Adding a player like Matthews would only intensify the competition for employment.

“We were pleased with how we played and what we see coming down the pipe,” team president Brendan Shanahan said Saturday night. “That being said, we still know and recognize that it was the end of Year 1 . . . there’s a long way to go.”

Indeed, there is far more to this rebuild than one 18-year-old hockey player.

The Leafs have 11 other draft selections after the first overall.

The ability to sign European free agents began May 1, with the Leafs having their sights set on Russian defenceman Nikita Zaitsev.

The Leafs also are in the market for a goaltender and may offer one of their young, promising wingers in return.

The Leafs are also in the enviable position of having about $25 million (U.S.) of cap space with only a handful of significant restricted free agents to worry about, including Connor Carrick, Martin Marincin and Frank Corrado.

“I don’t think there’s any one individual thing we cannot look at or think about,” said Lamoriello. “We’ll be active on every front, no matter what it might be, whether it’s free agents, whether it’s trading.

“Whatever way you can get better you have to get better, no matter what means it is.”

Lamoriello watched the draft lottery at home.

“I thought it was just a tremendous result for our organization and more important for the fans, who have been so patient throughout this year,” said Lamoriello. “It’s certainly something everybody feels good about.

“I don’t know if the word is excited. You have to be very careful. What you feel good about is the plan that has been set in place that has continued to move along. This just gives us another point toward taking care of the end result.”

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In all his time with the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello never picked first.

“I don’t feel good about being the first one up there,” said Lamoriello. “That’s the last thing in the world you want. I’ve always been fortunate that we’re always drafting in the latter part of the draft.

“It’s not being up there first that you feel good about. What you feel good about is you have the opportunity to pick the player you want prior to anybody else selecting. I hope this is the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs get this opportunity.”

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