Maple Leafs' John Tavares connected with surprising West team

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to see major changes occur this offseason. With the team having multiple key players entering free agency, Toronto's roster could look very different come next season.

Star forward Mitch Marner is expected to leave the team, and Toronto would then need to replace his production. But star John Tavares is also a free agent this summer.

Many are expecting Tavares to return to the Maple Leafs, but anytime a player hits free agency, anything can happen. Despite having a down season, there will surely be other teams looking to bring Tavares into the picture.

One of those could be the Minnesota Wild, who need a boost after another early playoff exit. NHL insider Joe Smith of The Athletic linked the Wild with the Maple Leafs star, writing that Tavares could be a good target for Minnesota to consider.

"The Wild’s main need is up the middle, and now they’re on Plan B after target Nelson re-signed with the Avalanche. Tavares’ priority has been to stay in Toronto, but if he gets to market, he’d give Minnesota the experienced, two-way center who could take some pressure off Joel Eriksson Ek. The Wild need to get Tavares, Duchene or Jonathan Toews to address the position, especially after missing out on Nelson," Smith wrote.