Maple Leafs keep options open with NHL Trade Deadline approaching
Won't rule out moving top prospects, 1st-round picks, GM Dubas says
By
Dave McCarthy
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
Dubas would prefer that Toronto keep its top prospects, including forward
Matthew Knies
of the University of Minnesota, and its first-round picks in the 2023 NHL Draft and 2024 NHL Draft, but wouldn't rule out giving up those assets if the right opportunity arose.
"The answer that one would give to that question might be a little deceptive," Dubas said. "I think in every single trade discussion we have, we're at the part where we're at as a franchise where you can't necessarily say no to anything right off the hop. Having said that, there are some players and draft-pick capital that we have that are extremely valuable that we would be hard-pressed to move on from, not just the one player mentioned (Knies), but a whole group of prospects or younger players off our roster."
The Maple Leafs (31-13-8) are second in the Atlantic Division, two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for third and 13 points behind the Boston Bruins for first. Toronto will play its first game since Feb. 1 on Friday when it visits the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, BSOH, TSN4, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Dubas said that if the Maple Leafs could be convinced to part with top prospects or first-round picks, it likely would not be for a player on an expiring contract.
"In regards to rentals, I can't see that happening," he said, "but with regards to other options, I don't think you say no off the hop to anything, but those are very important pieces to us, now and in the future."
The Maple Leafs are at a stage where the goal is not just to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs but contend for the Stanley Cup. They haven't won a postseason series since 2004, losing in the opening round the past six seasons. Since 2018, Toronto has lost nine straight games when it could have eliminated an opponent with a win.
Despite the lack of playoff success, Dubas said he is not focused on acquiring big names alone prior to the deadline.
"With where we are at as a team and where we sit as a franchise, you look at everything, right?" he said. "Whatever way we can improve the team, we will look to do that. With the exception of goaltender, up front and on defense, if there is a way we can improve the team and give ourselves a better chance to make a run at it, then we will do that. The larger focus is always on the bigger names, but we have to look at the people who may improve us overall, not just the big names per se."
Though Dubas did not rule out upgrading at defenseman, he said he has been pleased with the team's depth at that position, though it has been tested throughout the season: Jake Muzzin has missed 48 of 52 games, TJ Brodie has missed 22, Morgan Rielly 15 and Timothy Liljegren 11.
Dubas said that depth has allowed the Maple Leafs to consider potentially adding a forward.
"At the beginning of the year, especially when Muzzin went down (with a neck injury), my focus shifted automatically to defense, but then we accumulated a lot of injuries on defense and all those respective players stepped up," Dubas said. "... Conor Timmins has come in and done well (12 points; one goal, 11 assists in 20 games), our depth guys have stepped up and done well, but also the way the team played as a whole defensively when missing players, it sort of opened it up to say we do feel somewhat comfortable with the group. If we can improve it, of course we will do that, but also shift the focus from just singularly on the back end to the overall team and how we can improve it."
Dubas does not have a contract beyond this season, his fifth as Maple Leafs GM. He did not say whether he and Toronto have had discussions regarding a new contract, but said the fact that his deal is expiring isn't affecting how he's approaching the trade deadline.
"[I'm looking at my job] no different than I ever would," Dubas said. "I think anyone who knows me well enough truly would know everything I look at is what is best in the short and long run for the organization and for the people that are there. As I said at the beginning of the year, it's not about me and my status. It's about what's best for the team and that's what we will continue to look at. I'm not treating it any differently than any other day."
