from Luke Fox of Sportsnet,

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Positivity sucks the joy right out of the comments section.

1. OK, so Kyle Dubas won’t trade his first-round pick for a rental.

But, it turns out, under pressure — and for the right pieces — the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade his first-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick, his better third-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick for two rentals (salary retained).

Breathe easy, Leafs Nation. Matthew Knies is still Toronto property.

Get excited, Leafs Nation. Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari are on their way.

If you believed Dubas had been snake-bitten by 2021’s unfortunate rental of Nick Foligno for a first-round pick, you haven’t seen him with his back pressed against a wall.

Bo Horvat was off the board. Timo Meier felt too complicated and expensive. Patrick Kane looks risky.

O’Reilly — an Ontario native and a Conn Smythe and Selke Trophy champion — was the best realistic option to boost a forward group in need of depth.

continued, includes more topics...