Rumor: Details of potential deal between Leafs and Wild

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Minnesota Wild are two teams at a crossroads. With four weeks to go until the NHL’s February 24th trade deadline, GMs Kyle Dubas and Bill Guerin don’t have much time left to evaluate their teams’ needs. Add or subtract? Buy or sell? Why not both?

Wild blueliner Matt Dumba has been the focus of trade rumors lately and, as NHL insider David Pagnotta points out, Dumba could be a potential fit for the Leafs. But what’s the asking price?

Pagnotta reports on a potential deal between the Leafs and Wild centered around with Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson headed to Minny as part of a package with Cody Ceci.

Check it out:

Is Dubas prepared to move one of Kapanen or Johnsson in a package for right-shot defenceman? This will be a hockey trade and a prime target is Minnesota Wild blueliner Matt Dumba. 

The Wild want a top-six forward and Kapanen fits the bill, but it’s going take more than him for Minnesota’s GM Bill Guerin to move Dumba. Do the Leafs include UFA-to-be Ceci in the deal, so the Wild can flip him elsewhere, or is a separate move more likely? Somethings to keep tabs on if the Leafs don’t go the rental route.

Leafs fans may not agree, especially given the emergence of Kapanen and Johnsson, but either player packaged up with Ceci for Dumba would be a STEAL of a deal. Dumba is a right-shooting, minute munching, point producing defenseman who isn’t afraid of the rough stuff. In short, he’s exactly the type of player the Leafs need. But… will Dubas have the gall to pull the trigger? Stay tuned.