Blackhawks and Maple Leafs Discussing Interesting Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks are two teams who are expected to be busy leading into Monday's trade deadline. The Hawks already got the ball rolling with one deal on Thursday with the Florida Panthers that saw them acquire two 23-year-old prospects for taking on Brett Connolly's contract. According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Leafs are keeping the Blackhawks on speed dial in case they can bring them in to facilitate a three-team trade that sees the Leafs send the Hawks a prospect in order to eat some salary.

Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is trying to get creative as he's open to going 'all-in' this season but he needs to make the money work, which at this point is the hardest part about making any trade in the NHL. Teams are cash strapped and there aren't many who have cap space. The Hawks happen to be one and general manager Stan Bowman is trying to do whatever he can to leverage it into assets. Dubas has mentioned basically all but Rasmus Sandin are available for trade from his prospect pool and they have some talent that should get Chicago's attention.

The Leafs are trying to acquire a goaltender and a depth defenseman from all accounts, and have been in on a top-9 forward as well. It's going to come down to the 'fit' and the financials involved, and if the Leafs and Blackhawks can make things work, expect to see the Leafs add a couple of key pieces before Monday's trade deadline at 3pm eastern.