from Luke Fox of Sportsnet,

Seeking a versatile, responsible 3C like Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton, Columbus’s Nick Foligno, or Detroit’s Luke Glendening is one route.

Another is pursuing a winger like Buffalo’s Taylor Hall, St. Louis’s Mike Hoffman or Jaden Schwartz, Anaheim’s Rickard Rakell, or Nashville’s Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula or — the massive play — Filip Forsberg.

On the back end, Nashville’s cap-friendly Mattias Ekholm is the crown jewel of the trade-bait board — but his suitors will be plentiful, and Nashville’s recent standings surge will give GM David Poile pause whether to sell at all. (Our take: He should sell regardless… but our job isn’t on the line.)

Smart depth options include Columbus’s David Savard, Buffalo’s Brandon Montour or Colin Miller, Detroit’s Marc Staal, and New Jersey’s Dmitry Kulikov.

Savard and Staal are the fearless, shot-blocking, penalty-killing types Toronto could use. The Leafs’ inconsistent PK has climbed to 18th overall (78.5 per cent).

Any deal Dubas makes will require creative cap management and likely some salary retention by the rebuilding team or a third party (Chicago is willing).

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