NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs & Canucks Emerging as Trade Partners

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be busy before Monday's trade deadline and while many of the reports are out there discussing defensemen, general manager Kyle Dubas is also looking to bring in some fresh talent for his bottom-six forwards.

According to Dhaliwal, #canucks are looking for a high pick in return for Tyler Motte. Possibly a mid 2nd or earlier.
— BuckFoston (@BuckFoston_) March 17, 2022

There's been reports the Leafs have been in contact with the Vancouver Canucks regarding forward Tyler Motte. The 27-year-old is a swiss army knife for the Canucks as he does a little bit of everything for their hockey club. In 47 games so far in 2021-22, Motte has managed to tally seven goals and 15 points, seeing 14:13 of ice-time each game. He loves to play a physical in your face style of game and could bring an element of nasty to Toronto, which they could desperately use more of.

The Maple Leafs have been getting some inconsistent play from the likes of Wayne Simmonds and Jason Spezza, and now have rotating in Kyle Clifford, among others to get the fourth-line going. Dubas and company are trying to find ways to spark the team and inserting someone like Motte could certainly do that.

Toronto has been shopping defensemen Travis Dermott and Justin Holl for trade and so far no takers. That could very well be changing before Monday as trade talks have picked up steam and we should see Dubas involved in some action before the deadline.

What will the #Canucks do with Tyler Motte? Are calls still coming in on Conor Garland?@DhaliwalSports talked about both players earlier.https://t.co/h4e2SL3agJ pic.twitter.com/EwrEdgMyev
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) March 18, 2022