Leafs linked in another major deal?!

There are a lot of things piling up on Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas' desk and it, of course, includes the contract talks for two of his star players, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. While the general manager is looking to get Matthews' extension done before the Feb. 25 trade deadline, Dubas cannot ignore all of the trade talks as there is now another rumour linked to the Maple Leafs. 

It is no secret that Toronto is seeking help on the blue line for a long playoff run, and it seems that opposites attract in the most recent trade chatter. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported that while Dubas was busy addressing the media Tuesday in Toronto, other members of management scouted the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Flames in Calgary. 

"Toronto continues to scout Carolina’s available (defensemen)," he tweeted.

The two teams have been in contact since early in the season, when there were talks that William Nylander could end up in Carolina before the contract impasse was finally resolved. The names of a few blue liners had been mentioned back then in a possible trade, and Dubas hasn't forgotten about it. 

While Dreger believes Jaccob Slavin could be the lone untouchable on the Hurricanes' defense, he strongly suggests Dubas to investigate on Brett Pesce, Justin Faulk and Dougie Hamilton. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun wrote Tuesday in The Athletic that they could move Hamilton or Pesce for a "top-six forward with offensive skill" and it seems like Dubas has placed this exact time of player on the block... 

Earlier this month, Bob McKenzie revealed that wingers Kasperi Kapanen and/or Andreas Johnsson could be moved for a defenseman.

Hamilton has amassed eight goals and 19 points in 50 games this season, but has the highest cap hit of any Hurricanes defenseman at $5.75 million and is signed through 2020-21.

Pesce, with three goals and 11 points in 41 games, has a $4.03 million cap hit through 2023-24.

Faulk carries a $4.83 million cap hit through next season and has a 16-team no-trade list in his contract. He has tallied three goals and 17 points in 50 games. 

A lot of options here for the Maple Leafs...