Kyle Dubas Finally Sets His Price for Rust and Rakell, and the Leafs Have the Pieces to Make It Happ

Rickard Rakell (left) and Bryan Rust (right)

Photo credit: Hockey Patrol

Kyle Dubas admits that he wants to get a bit younger when it comes to his roster, which means the Maple Leafs have exactly what he needs to get a deal done according to The Athletic’s Josh Yohe.

You’ve got Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, heck even Sidney Crosby has been thrown around as potential stunning blockbuster trade piece. Kyle Dubas wants to make sure he gets Gavin McKenna, and by doing so, will need to facilitate some deals eventually.

Leafs Now Hold the Trade Assets Dubas Wants

Dubas hasn’t received offers that meet his liking yet, but he is fully committed to a rebuild. That means that having 30-somethings like Rust, Rakell and Mantha in your lineup doesn’t make much sense.

Again, the goal is to get younger. Rust and Rakell are good enough that they’ll not only hurt the Penguins’ chances of earning a top-five pick, but they should also fetch a significant return.

So with that being said, the Maple Leafs are primed to give Dubas not only the young pieces he desires but add that top-six punch they desperately need.

Nick Robertson just signed for a decent price, is young and needs a fresh start, plus Dennis Hildeby is a goalie who could help the Penguins down the line, is an RFA, and with a logjam in net already; he could be worth dangling.There’s also William Villeneuve, who could essentially play as an Erik Karlsson-lite for the Pens’ third pairing, and if the team wanted to sweeten things even more then throw in a 2027 or 2028 pick.

Is this an overpayment? Yes, a bit, but you need to look at the optics. Not only is Dubas going to take nothing less than a premium return, and if there is a smidgen of salary retention involved you bet your bottom dollar that Dubas would want even more.

A Perfect Fit for Toronto’s New Forward Identity

But it’s deal worth doing considering who you are able to bring in. If you target Rust, you get a two-time Cup winner who thrives with elite talent and was glued to Sidney Crosby for a good portion of his career.

Putting him beside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies would give Toronto that veteran presence who can contribute heavily, with playoff pedigree and credentials to back it up (think Brad Marchand but less abrasive).If you go after Rakell, he instantly makes the second line a perfect mix of scoring, playmaking and physicality. John Tavares and William Nylander lack a true power forward on the left side, and Rakell loves to throw hits and play aggressive, plus the offensive capabilities are obvious.Rust, 33, had 65 points in 71 games last season (31 goals, 34 assists) which was a career-high in goals and points.Rakell, 32, who was on Rust’s wing alongside Crosby poured in 70 points in 81 games (35 goals, 35 assists) which were also career-highs in goals and assists.

Both men change Toronto’s identity by bringing in either a proven top-six scorer who can actually produce when it matters (Rust) or bring in a second-line force that essentially makes that line a 1B (Rakell).

You can’t go wrong with either man, but the cost is going to reach significant value.

Dubas wants to get younger? Fine by the Maple Leafs; who are willing to mortgage their future one more time for the chance at glory.

Previously on HockeyPatrol

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