Dubas may have a deal on the table with a Western Conference club

As we watch the last days of January pass by, all of the attention in Leafs Nation has been on what the Buds will do at or ahead of the March 3rd trade deadline, which is now less than 6 weeks away. We know from years past that Kyle Dubas prefers to get his work done early to give his new acquisitions time to adjust, build some chemistry and become accustomed to the Leafs' system.

The Buds are 29-11-8 so far this season, good for a share of 2nd in the overall league standings, alongside the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils in what looks like a powerhouse Eastern Conference. Still, as good as they've been, there's still room for improvement and Dubas knows it. That's why he's been out scouting teams in person, which usually signifies that a substantial level of interest in at least one piece. It could also mean that a deal could be near. Dubas has scouted a number of teams in person this year, including Philadelphia, Chicago and, after last night, Vancouver.

It's well known following the Vancouver Canucks' recent declaration that they're heading down the road of a rebuild that there are several big pieces in Vancouver who will be moved before the deadline. The Leafs have had a pre-existing interest in Ontario native Bo Horvat, wingers Nils Hoglander and Conor Garland. The Canucks would also like to move Brock Boeser and defensemen Tyler Myers, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and perhaps even former Leaf Luke Schenn. We know the Leafs are looking at adding both a forward and a defenseman ahead of March 3rd, so perhaps there's a two birds, one stone scenario available to Kyle Dubas here where he could nab a forward and a defenseman in the same deal.

It's also entirely possible that Dubas was in the house to scout the Canucks' opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he's scouted in person at least once already this season. With rumours that the Leafs could have an interest in bringing in Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe, I'm sure Dubas had his eye on the 29-year-old blueliner as well. In addition, the Leafs were also rumoured to have been interested in Max Domi this past summer as well. Perhaps there's another two birds, one stone scenario available to him in Chicago as well.