It would be great to see!

I just think we're a long way away from it happening though. I think that yes, speed-wise, there are certainly some female hockey players who would be able to stay somewhat close to the lower tier guys in the NHL (A timed skating race isn't even close to trying to maintain speed with 9 other skaters on the ice). Hayley Wickenheiser, who is arguably the greatest female hockey player of all time, played second division in Finland, and struggled mightily.

Team Canada's tune up games are typically played against Midget AAA/Jr C teams (There's a pretty great youtube video of Wickenheiser losing her sh1t at an midget player in Alberta...may have been Dion's little brother Dane, but I can't remember...).

If it ever happens though, WHAT A BOOST TO FEMALE HOCKEY WORLDWIDE!

I think it's more likely that a league like the CFL (couple of amazing female kickers out there), or the MLB minor leagues (have seen a few women throw low to mid 80's) are far more likely.

Unfortunately it’s just not feasible. We can’t knock female hockey or their leagues but the level of play is drastically different, and drastically outmatched. There’s all these things that play into it but my point I like to make most is; throw a Tom Wilson hit on a female coming into the league (doesn’t have to be wilson just a thundering hit on her) and there will be so much revolting. Bad publicity, media outcry, possibly attempts at suing for endangering her, social media backlash and hate. It’s just never gonna happen on a real scale (a female being able to play in the NHL). That hit happens in the NHL; people call Wilson dirty etc. That hit happens on a female joining the NHL; it would literally be talked about for years and years and put a stain on the NHL (not to anyone’s fault but just people thinking that females deserve to get the chance to be an NHL star but fail to realize the repercussions).

Yup. Gotta find a 6'2'' 200 lb woman that can skate fast and shoot hard.

Get the girls who do shotput in the olympics on skates

So you would make this female olympian the Leafs goon?

She could definitely absolutely crush some boys in the show. Probably throws a mean haymaker. Could be the leafs new Martin

I would absolutely love to see it. People can talk about what "hard hits to a female player would look like" but Alex DeBrincat is 5' 7 and 165lbs. Hilary Knight is 5'11 and 172lbs. I think she can handle a hit better than quite a few guys in the league. I think the style of play is slightly different, but the same could be said for guys coming from a lot of European leagues. They tend to hit less and skate faster there, and the large ice plays a big factor as well. It would probably make sense for her to debut in the AHL for a good while, but I would love to see it still.

If not, I would love to see her in the org in general. If we arent ready for our first female NHL player, our first NHL assistant coach would be awesome as well.

Would definitely bring some "truculence" and "grit" to your Buds!

I forget the Canadian Olympian who turned pro. She played a Finnish league and not the top league. She was marginally OK. Sorry I don't see a woman being NHL capable, heck not even AHL capable.

Icarus mentioned a coach...I think that is more likely at an NHL level. Heck I would welcome it right now as head coach of the Leafs.

Hayley Wickenheiser.

I feel like the Leafs have her as a player development person now or something along those lines.

I believe we'll see women in the NHL in the future but probably not by next year. I feel like you made an excellent point about how Knight is physically comparable to a lot of NHL players in the league right now. And women are as tough or even tougher than a lot of men so it's not like they wouldn't be able to take a hit or deliver one. Honestly, I really feel like once there are players that emerge that show they're talent is really on par with the men in this league I think they'll get a real shot. I just don't know if we're there yet.