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Toronto Maple Leafs Hypothetical Trade Options With the Jets

By Marco Rovere

Apr 27, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) defends his net against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) defends his net against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 31: Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Winnipeg Jets (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Option 2: Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Pierre-Luc Dubois

Winnipeg Jets acquire: Nick Robertson, Timothy Liljegren, 2023 1st Round Pick (BOS), 2024 3rd Round Pick (NYI)

Just going to be honest here, this trade scares me but it makes a ton of sense, and here’s why. Pierre-Luc Dubois is currently 24 years old and an incredible player, but a player who is set to be on his 3rd team in his 8th NHL season.

It’s no secret that Dubois wants out of Winnipeg, and the Toronto Maple Leafs could use another 60-point center, so why not explore it?

In this trade, hypothetically the Toronto Maple Leafs can do a sign-and-trade with the Jets, getting Dubois at under $9 million AAV. Dubois would fill a massive void for a team that’s desperately tried to find help for its core four forwards, providing size and scoring down the middle of the ice, allowing Tavares to transition to the wing as he continues to age into his late 30s.

I acknowledge there are way more questions than answers with a player who constantly flip-flops on what franchise he wants to play for, but if Dubois would entertain putting on the Blue and White, it makes all the sense in the world. Besides, he was born a Montreal Canadiens fan, so what better way to acknowledge your favorite childhood team than playing for their most heated rival?

Walking out the door would be Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Nick Robertson and Timothy Liljegren,.Adding to that, the Maple Leafs would throw in this year’s 28th overall pick acquired in the Rasmus Sandin trade, and a future 3rd-round selection acquired in the Pierre Engvall deal.

As to why the Jets might want to explore this deal? The team is in a no-win situation with Dubois as he’s made his intentions clear he wants to move on, and adding players who are young with potential along with draft picks is never a bad thing. Following other massive trades involving core pieces, the Jets could transition towards building a younger program in Winnipeg and this move would be a nice start to that.

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