Dubas meets with the media to discuss recent trade with Hawks and his recent trip to see Matthew Knies
After making another blockbuster trade to bolster the Leafs' lineup for the post-season, Kyle Dubas met with the media this evening to discuss the recent acquisitions of Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari, Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty.
"Both players add what we feel we need to help us in the battle that's to come. We spoke with McCabe in summer of 21 when he had an ACL injury. We always liked how physical he is and combined with how he can defend. He has similarities to Jake Muzzin. He's played very well in Chicago playing mostly with Seth Jones so we know he can play against tough opponents. We also like that he has this year and two years to follow. We like Sam Lafferty for the speed and versatility he brings. The tenacity, the turnovers, the ability to create on the forecheck. We're getting him for his speed ability to defend and forecheck," said Dubas of adding McCabe and Lafferty from Chicago this afternoon.
Dubas continued by saying, "We wanted to become more competitive while maintaining the group we have and didn't want to deplete our prospects. All 3 forwards we acquired can find a way to score in tight in a way we've struggled when we needed it. It was finding guys that can chip in in the bottom of the lineup and we think we found that. We have to give the team the best chance to win. We don't want to deplete ourselves too much down the road but if we can add guys with term like we did here we can address that down the road. We think we owe it to our group."
Dubas was asked if the trades by Boston and Tampa had an effect on them making the trade with Chicago today to which he responded by saying that neither of those trades influenced him and that acquiring McCabe and Lafferty had been in the works for a while and was nearly complete last night as the Tampa deal was announced.
Dubas also said that Lafferty and McCabe will join the Leafs at practice tomorrow, but will leave the lineup decisions to Sheldon Keefe, so we may see them Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. With this trade, the Leafs have an abundance of forwards and do not currently have cap space to activate Matt Murray from LTIR, of which he is eligible to come off of as early as Wednesday. That could mean that Dubas will be making another move to shed some salary.
At the end of his media availability, Dubas was asked about Matthew Knies, who many are surprised Dubas has been able to keep after making these two trades. He was questioned about his development to which he responded by saying, "University of Minnesota have helped Knies grow into his game. We can't rave enough about the job they've done with him. Getting him to use his strengths. He's done good work there but the staff has been excellent." TSN's Mark Masters asked if he was worried about signing Knies, but Dubas brushed it off commenting that they do not want to distract Knies or the team from winning the championship.
With the way the lineup is constructed and the fact that Dubas has brought in an entire forward line, there doesn't appear to be a spot for Knies in the current lineup and the Leafs could wait until the off-season to sign him so that they do not burn a year of his entry-level contract this year by having him play with the Marlies.
