Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confirms what his main focus is for the trade deadline
The Leafs' plans for the upcoming March 3rd trade deadline have been a hot topic for discussion in recent weeks. The team has been linked to some pretty interesting names, but there's really been no indication from the team as to which direction they're leading.
Plenty of NHL Insiders have speculated on whether or not the Leafs need to add on defense, at forward and even in goal, following the recent injury to Matt Murray. However, we had little to no confirmation on that, other than chatter from other Insiders reporting the same things. Well, on Thursday, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas addressed the media and did reveal which direction the Leafs are heading at the deadline.
Not to anyone's surprise, but the Leafs will indeed be buyers. Dubas shot down ideas that he could be looking for a goaltender right away, stating that he's happy with his goaltenders. Both Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov have had stretches this season where they've played particularly strong and depth goaltenders like Erik Kallgren and Joseph Woll will be right there to step in and help in the even of an injury.
Dubas did confirm, though, that he does intend to add both on defense and at forward, which likely indicates that the Leafs will subtract from the current roster in order to upgrade. The Buds, when healthy, have no less than 9 realistic NHL blueliners with the top 6 being largely set as Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano, Justin Holl, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren. Beyond that, they also have Conor Timmins, Jordie Benn and Victor Mete, which is exceptional defensive depth. If Dubas does plan to add, as he suggests that he might, we could see someone from this list moved for an upgrade.
When it comes to forwards, it's really anyone's guess how Dubas will proceed. There's certainly room within the team's top six if Dubas does go out and get a highly skilled forward, but if he's looking for more of a middle-six option to keep the cost of acquisition down, there's certainly room to improve on the team's third line. Either way, Dubas says he won't trap himself into one singular line of thinking. If the right deal comes along for a big name, he'll go that route - but if a deal comes up for the right role player, much like how Tampa targeted role players over the last few years, he won't shy away from taking that route either.
Kyle Dubas on keeping an open mind at the deadline
Dubas also touched on what might happen with his top prospects and 1st round picks. While he did state that nothing is truly "off-limits" at this stage in the Leafs' competing window, he also acknowledged that these are pieces that he would be hesitant to move and certainly wouldn't move in a deal for a pure rental.
-Dubas on his preference to hold onto his 1st round pick and top prospects
In 3 weeks time, we'll have the answers to all of our post-deadline, pre-playoff questions, but for now, all we can continue to do is watch other teams complete their deals and watch the trading block shrink day after day until Dubas decides to make his moves. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 9 | 166 ANSWERS Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confirms what his main focus is for the trade deadline Which piece will Dubas acquire first - a forward or a defenseman? | ||
| He'll address needs on the blueline first | 35 | 21.1 % |
| He'll address needs up front first | 55 | 33.1 % |
| He'll kill two birds with one stone in one deal | 76 | 45.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
