Rumour: The Leafs and Avs may be discussing a trade

Both teams are Stanley Cup contenders and are expected to be some of the most active buyers at the trade deadline. Kyle Dubas has a history of thinking outside the box with trades and one with the Avalanche would fit the criteria. But what does a trade between the Leafs and Avs look like?

The Leafs are clearly in the market for a defenseman and a goalie. Colorado certainly has defensemen to spare. The name Samuel Girard has come up in trade rumours for a number of months, so perhaps he's an option.

If the Leafs wanted to gamble on Sam Girard, the Avs might consider moving him for the right price. The 23-year-old has struggled a bit this season but has shown in years past that he is capable of being a top-4 defenseman in the NHL. He makes just $5 million through 2027 and is someone that may be worth the high asking price. Girard may be someone Joe Sakic tries to move knowing that Bowen Byram needs an extension and Devon Toews is already on the Avs' left side. Another option on the rental market for the Leafs could be Ryan Murray, who the Leafs have been linked to in the past.

For Colorado, who have experienced injuries up front - especially after losing captain Gabriel Landeskog - could be looking for a forward. The Leafs have great depth up front and many options both as rentals and with term. Ilya Mikheyev, as we know, has already requested a trade and could be a good fit on what is an already speedy Avalanche team. Perhaps even a reunion with Alexander Kerfoot makes some sense for the Avs. The Leafs also have their first and second round picks both this season and next to help massage something into a deal if there is a deal to be made.

Of course, the possibility also exists that the Leafs could be looking specifically at adding some depth pieces in their middle six. Colorado has those to spare as well in Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Tyson Jost. Aube-Kubel is a pending RFA, while Jost has one year remaining after this one on his current deal that carries a $2M AAV.

The Leafs and Avalanche have made moves together in the past. Some as small as Calle Rosen for Michael Hutchison but then there's blockbusters like the Nazem Kadri trade. A Leafs and Avs trade is speculative at this point, but perhaps Kyle Dubas and Joe Sakic subtract from a strength to address an area of need and it could benefit both clubs.