from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was seen conversing on the draft floor with his counterpart, David Poile, from the Predators. My TSN colleague Bob McKenzie reported during our Insider Trading segment on Friday that the Leafs have indeed inquired about P.K. Subban.

It certainly makes sense from the Leafs perspective as they desperately need help on the right side of their defense. But I also think that given Toronto’s precarious cap situation, the Predators would have to eat some of that $9-million cap hit on Subban’s contract.

And, well, it goes without saying there are other teams calling Nashville about Subban, too.

For the Leafs to shed some cap space they need to figure out the Patrick Marleau situation for one. A source told me on Friday night that the Leafs and Coyotes have re-engaged on the idea of a potential trade scenario in which Arizona gets a sweetener for taking on Marleau’s deal and then turning around and buying him out, which would make him a UFA. He would then, presumably, be free to sign a cheaper deal in San Jose where he wants to return.

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