The NHL’s trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and all eyes are on Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving. It’s been well documented Toronto is in the market for some help through the middle of the ice, but that’s certainly not the only area of the team Treliving will look to upgrade.

Treliving has been known to check in with just about every team, and for our latest trade targets piece, we head to Southern California and the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks entered the 4 Nations Face-Off break with a record of 24-24-6, and GM Pat Verbeek is likely to continue his re-tooling of the roster leading up the the trade deadline March 7.

Here’s three trade candidates the Maple Leafs could have some level of interest in before the deadline:

You can never have enough defensemen gearing up for a long Stanley Cup Playoff run, and if Treliving is looking for a stay-at-home blueliner, who has multiple Stanley Cups, and is certainly on the trade market, the 33-year-old Dumoulin could be a perfect option.

With some inconsistencies in the Leafs bottom pair this season, and the likes of Philippe Myers, Simon Benoit and Conor Timmins rotating through, Dumoulin could give Toronto a d-man who keeps the game very simple, with over 80 game of postseason experience under his belt.

At 6-foot-4, Dumoulin has great size, and he’s an experienced penalty killer, averaging over two minutes per game killing penalties throughout his 12-year career, which includes back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He plays a simple game, getting pucks out off the glass, clearing the man in front, he’s a strong communicator. There’s nothing flashy about Dumoulin.

Dumoulin was recently named to Daily Faceoff’s trade target list, as a steady defender who contending teams won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. A mid-round pick ought get the deal done. Dumoulin owns a 10-team no-trade clause and is in pending free agent this offseason, earning $3.1 million against the cap. He’d bring a less riskier game to the table than Benoit, and a ton more experience, especially in big games, so this should be an option Treliving is considering before the deadline.

The 29-year-old Fabbri has dealt with a slew of injuries throughout his career, and because of it, has bounced around a little bit. In his first season with the Ducks, the Mississauga native has recorded eight goals and 15 points in 41 games, and is averaging 16:25 of ice-time per game, including being a depth option on the penalty kill, and second power-play unit.

Fabbri doesn’t have game-breaking speed but he’s a versatile forward who gets by on his offensive instincts, above-average shot, and work ethic. He’s under contract for this season at $4 million AAV, and is a pending unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Fabbri has mostly played the wing this season, chipping in on 148 faceoffs, winning 47 percent of his draws. It’s the first season he’s been used as a regular penalty killer, which is an element of his game that could essentially keep him in the league longer.

There’s some familiarity between Fabbri and Craig Berube as they won a Stanley Cup together in 2019. After nine games with the Blues the following season, St. Louis traded Fabbri to the Detroit Red Wings. He’d eventually match his career high with 18 goals in 68 games last season in Detroit, before being traded to the Ducks last summer.

With the Maple Leafs, Fabbri would be an upgrade over Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar, and Nick Robertson, and with his ability to play the wing or spot duty at centre, his versatility could improve the Leafs’ third line, and give them another element of production. It’s all going to come down to how Berube sees his third line for a long playoff run, and what style of play he’s looking for them to bring consistently. However, this acquisition could get tricky because of his $4 million AAV, and if the Leafs had the Ducks retain half, then of course, the price goes up.

Right-handed middle-six centres are hard to come by, and Strome may be one of the only ones available heading into March 7. The 31-year-old is also from Mississauga, and so far in 2024-25, has posted seven goals and 30 points in 54 games.

Strome has two seasons left on his contract at $5 million AAV, and doesn’t hold any trade protection on his deal. If Treliving is looking for a centre who can play more of an offensive role as a hybrid No. 2/3 centre, Strome’s an option who is likely available. He’s shown in the past he can put up points in a hurry, and throughout his career he’s worked on the defensive side of the puck, and is improving as a more well-round centre.

With the salary cap going up, $5 million isn’t the worst pill to swallow, it’s just going to be difficult for Treliving to navigate this year under the cap. It’s one of the many reasons David Kampf, Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, and Conor Timmins are all potential trade candidates to help balance out the books before the deadline. If the Leafs were to include a prospect with any of those options, it feels like that would be some Verbeek would consider, especially with the Ducks still coasting through a transition from rebuilding to re-tooling.

Strome has his flaws. He’s won just 41 percent of his faceoffs this season, with a 45 percent success rate for his carer, but when you practice with Tavares and Matthews on a regular basis, who’s to say you can’t get a little more sturdy in the faceoff circle? Strome isn’t an obvious Berube-style player, but when it comes to right-handed centres, he’s one of the few who could be readily available before the trade deadline.

As far as honourable mentions go, Trevor Zegras (yes, Trevor Zegras!) is once again drawing some trade chatter. With just 15 points in 32 games this year, and with a $5.75 million price tag, Treliving likely has zero interest.

Mason McTavish would look absolutely gorgeous in blue and white, but he’s developing into a solid 2C option for the Ducks and they see a long future ahead for him playing behind Leo Carlsson.

Jacob Trouba just saw his best friend Frank Vatrano sign an extension to remain with the Ducks, so that’s likely the route he’ll take this summer once he’s eligible to sign a new deal. Ducks goalie John Gibson apparently prefers a move to Edmonton or Carolina, and Treliving has no need to pursue a goalie.

The Maple Leafs and Ducks align as trade partners based on the basis they are heading in opposite directions, in separate conferences. While both forward options have a certain level of risk involved with Strome and Fabbri, Dumoulin is the more suitable candidate, based on his experience, steady defending, and being an upgrade for the Leafs’ bottom pair. Adding a two-time Stanley Cup champion never hurts, we’ll see if Treliving and Verbeek can strike a deal before 3 PM on March 7.