Some early potential trade deadline rentals for the Leafs

1. Max Domi - Chicago Blackhawks

After the Leafs reportedly low-balled Domi in the offseason, the Winnipeg native ended up signing in Chicago for 1 year at a $3M cap hit. Domi has 5 goals and 14 points in 20 games for the Hawks thus far this season. His combination of skill, energy and short fuse could make the 2nd generation NHLer a great addition to the Buds for a playoff run. Aside from being the son of Leafs legend Tie Domi, his expiring contract, modest cap hit and likely low acquisition cost could make Domi the ideal trade target for the Leafs.

2. Timo Meier - San Jose Sharks

Meier is a solidified top-six player who has two 30-goal seasons under his belt and could threaten 40 goals at some point in his career. The 26-year-old has 12 goals and 22 points in 23 games for the Sharks this season and has been in trade rumours frequently dating back to last season. He is in the last year of his deal, which pays him $6M, but he'll be an RFA this summer who has a qualifying offer of $10M. For the Leafs to get involved here, it would likely take some salary retention and if a deal does get done, Meier could be someone that the Leafs could flip this summer to avoid having to leave Meier without a qualifying offer or negotiate a new deal, which would likely carry an AAV in the $9M+ range.

3. Dmitry Kulikov - Anaheim Ducks

Kulikov is a defensive defenseman who plays well in his own end and can provide some physicality. With the injury to Jake Muzzin and his uncertain future, the Leafs could use the physicality that Kulikov brings to the table. With so many injuries piling up on the blueline, Kulikov is a player that the Leafs could look at long before the deadline. He has a low cap-hit, and likely wouldn't cost a lot to acquire.

4. Patrick Kane - Chicago Blackhawks

We saved the best for last, because Patrick Kane might be a bit of a pipedream for the Leafs. The 3-time Stanley Cup Champion may not be the player that he once was, but make no mistake - Kane is still an elite player with excellent hands, vision and finishing ability. We know that there is a lot of mutual admiration between Kane and Auston Matthews, but with Kane carrying a $10.5M cap hit the Hawks would need to agree to retain 50% of his contract. The Leafs might also need a second team to come in and eat some additional salary to fit everything under the cap. There's also the little matter of the cost of acquisition. Kane is not going to come cheap and I'm not entirely sure the Leafs would be willing to pony up what the Hawks would likely demand.

It goes without saying that there are a number of players who didn't make the cut here who could still wind up being targets of the Leafs come deadline time, but I'd fully expect the Leafs to check in on all of the above should they be available this spring.