Maple Leafs could once again turn to Kyle Dubas for trade deadline help
Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could call upon former GM Kyle Dubas to help them again this trade deadline, as the Penguins hold a wealth of draft capital.
With the NHL schedule back in action starting Wednesday, teams are going to be preparing themselves for the trade deadline, which means that the next week and a half are crucial not only for what happens on the ice -- but off it as well.
The Maple Leafs are a team who are trying to keep the momentum going pre-Olympic break, and with a gold medal around Auston Matthews' neck, the team could be in good hands going forward.
with the deadline approaching they do need to make a decision whether or not to sell high on their assets like Bobby McMann and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, though with a playoff spot in potential jeopardy they may stand pat.
Kyle Dubas could be asked to help Toronto yet again in 2026
Although with the team desperate to recoup at least some draft capital, they could call upon their former GM to help them for the second straight deadline.
According to David Pagnotta, the Pittsburgh Penguins hold an astounding 20 draft picks in the first three rounds over the next four NHL drafts, which gives them a huge cupboard full of picks to either use or trade away.
The Penguins currently have 20 draft picks in the first three-rounds of the NHL Draft over the next 4 drafts - the most among NHL clubs.
With the team looking to make a playoff push they could be in the mix for a speedy scorer like McMann or help shore up their defense even more with Ekman-Larsson (especially since they just traded Brett Kulak).
Plus, Dubas has already done this before. He took on Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins' contracts to open up space for Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo so it's not like he's against working with them.
Why Kyle Dubas might decide to help Toronto out
Toronto could certainly get a great haul out of it, with McMann and OEL garnering them potentially upwards of five picks depending on how they work things out.
For McMann, the Penguins could end up sending upwards of three picks to Toronto including a potential first-rounder (of which they hold three). They also could sweeten the pot with two second-rounders and a third-round pick, more than many other teams.
This season, he has 32 points in 56 games (19 goals, 13 assists) while adding 126 hits and an even zero plus/minus.
OEL may come with a little less attached to him but if the Penguins really want to solidify their defensive game (and also give Erik Karlsson an old friend) then they might be willing to work with Toronto.
Putting in a vintage performance, Ekman-Larsson has 32 points in 57 games (8 goals, 24 assists) while also adding 69 hits and 48 blocks.
When all is said and done, if Toronto does decide to move on and do a bit of a retool, then they have the perfect chance to add a boatload of picks for two players who were really only here for a short time.
In the grand scheme of things that's a heck of a consolation prize, but it depends on if Dubas -- though with the pieces available he may not have much of a choice.
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