Toronto Maple Leafs

Where Does Patrick Kane Fit in Toronto? The Lineup Debate

Maple Leafs debate top six vs top nine as Patrick Kane buzz grows—where would he fit, and would it change everything?

by
Old Prof
July 3, 2026

The Toronto Maple Leafs are basically trying to figure out one big question right now. Do they roll with a real “top six” plan, or do they think of it more like a “top nine” team where scoring shows up from a bigger group? People are already kicking around what Patrick Kane would look like in Toronto, and the main question is where he fits. One camp thinks he could be a huge spark. He’s the kind of guy who can play up when things get hectic.

He could contribute to the power play and in late-game moments. He can set up plays and make the right pass. In that sense, Kane feels like a plug-in top-level piece, not just a depth guy.

The Maple Leafs Have Been Busy with Roster Construction

But the other side of the debate is roster construction. The Maple Leafs have been building with a mix of skill and grit, and they’ve also invested in the bottom of their lineup. They’re not just relying on “if the top line goes, we’re good.” They want depth scoring too—players who can chip in throughout the year, not just when games open up.

If you’re looking at it like a top six, you’d start thinking Matthews, Nylander, and that whole higher-end group. With that structure, where would Kane actually land? Does he steal minutes from someone? Does it mess with the chemistry? Or does it just slide in and make the lineup more dangerous?

Patrick Kane Gavin McKenna Maple Leafs — Could Patrick Kane and Gavin McKenna work well with the Maple Leafs?

Could the Maple Leafs Be Thinking About a Top Nine?

If you think “top nine,” it changes the whole idea. Then it’s less about forcing Kane into a specific spot and more about using him to add another layer of offence. In a real NHL season, you need multiple lines that can score, not just one or two. You want a team where even when matchups tighten up, someone else can still create chances.

Either way, it sounds like the Maple Leafs are building a team that can score more consistently across the whole lineup while still keeping enough identity and grind to be hard to play against. Kane would fit a solid role, but the real question becomes whether the Maple Leafs view that as “top six” minutes or “top nine” impact.