Kyle Dubas recaps recent trades

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has been a busy man in recent days, pulling off a flurry of moves ahead of the March 3 National Hockey League Trade Deadline. 

In the first place, he acquired now-former St. Louis Blues captain Ryan O'Reilly as well as forward Noel Acciari; in exchange, the Leafs sent prospect Mikhail Abramov, forward Adam Gaudette, the Leafs' 2023 first-round pick, the Ottawa Senators' 2023 third-round pick and Toronto's 2024 second-round pick to the Blues in return. 

Additionally, the Leafs pulled another deal that saw them bring aboard defenseman Jake McCabe, forward Sam Lafferty, and a conditional fifth-round draft choice in both 2024 and 2025 from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for draft picks. 

On the acquisition of McCabe, Dubas had this to say earlier this afternoon: 

"We obviously played against him a lot when he was in Buffalo. We spoke to them in the summer of ’21 when he was a free agent coming off of an ACL injury. We just always liked how physical and competitive he is in the neutral zone combined with how he can defend and move the puck. He seems to relish that role."

"When were going through different guys, obviously, it is with Jake Muzzin out that it creates the hole we have talked about in previous availabilities. I feel like he fits that. Once we kind of got through the salary part with Chicago, it just kind of fits and makes sense."

"I also like the fact that he has this year and two more to follow. He is just 29 years old now and just turned 29. Compared to the others on the market, he is one of the younger of the group."

On the acquisition of Lafferty: 

"He is someone who we played more when he was in Pittsburgh. Last year, when he went to Chicago, he seemed to come alive more. He was good in Pittsburgh as well and then got a little bit more opportunity in Chicago."

"For me, the speed is the number one thing that he brings but also the versatility. He is able to play center and is able to play wing. With the forechecking — the competitiveness, and the tenacity on the forecheck — he is able to create turnovers up the ice and be physical and really competitive."

For Dubas, did he feel any pressure that compelled him into the moves he made? 

"I wouldn’t say it feels like pressure. You feel a duty in this job to do everything you can to help the group of people that are a part of it — the staff and the players. We are fortunate to have great staff and great players that deserve everything from my end to help them get over the top and reach their potential, which is to win."

"This, to me, is the most exciting time. The trade deadline comes, and then you are kind of on the trail of going to see your guys in college and Europe that are going to be coming over soon and readying for the draft. This is the most fun part of this, really."