If you managed to make it through the majority of the All-Star game coverage on Saturday, you were rewarded with a couple of interesting facts regarding the state of the NHL trade market right now. The key one is that the going rate for a defenseman rental seems to be 1st round pick plus a 3rd round pick.

Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet says teams are asking for a 1st rounder and a 3rd rounder in return for rental defensemen this trade deadline.
Basically what CBJ got for David Savard when he got traded to TB.#LeafsForever
— Joseph Zita (@josephdzita) February 5, 2022

Considering that the Leafs spent a 1st and two 4ths bringing in Nick Foligno last year (at a 1/4 his cap hit) that price should seem a little steep, with a very low chance of getting a return on the investment. This go around we’ll assume the Leafs would at least not trade on a player being rushed back from injury, and the way the season is set up any deadline acquisition should be eligible for a lot more than 10 games, but still, the idea of a should have little appeal to Leafs fans.
That’s where there is some encouraging news out of Kyle Dubas’ press availability today, and that is his preference to moving back towards acquiring players with term.

#Leafs GM Kyle Dubas says his biggest need can change between now and deadline day, says he prefers to acquire players with term but flat cap changed that the last couple of years. Based on his answer, it sounds like the Leafs will have to be meticulous about how they add. pic.twitter.com/ZYf200rZvc
— David Alter (@dal …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation