NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs interested in 3 players, including Blackhawks' legend

The Toronto Maple Leafs are second in the Atlantic Division, just behind the Boston Bruins. They are looking to add some firepower to their squad to help bolster their chances of winning the Stanley Cup this season.

Kyle Dubas, GM of the Maple Leafs, has been looking for trade prospects from all around the league. Most of the responses have Toronto's top prospect Matthew Knies heading the other way, which the Leafs don't want. The Leafs also have a 2023 first-round pick, which they will likely have to include in any trade package.

Shane Sheney of NHL Trade Rumors believes that the following three players are being seriously considered by the Maple Leafs.

#1. Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks

Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Through 51 games played this season, Meier has scored 28 goals and racked up 20 assists for the San Jose Sharks. He signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2019, making him a restricted free agent, with a qualifying offer valued at $10 million. The Sharks may be unwilling to sign such a lucrative extension, making him a prime candidate for a trade.

#2. Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes

Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes warming up (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Coyotes are in the rebuilding phase and have a lot of young talent who may push them to become contenders in the next four or five years. They will be looking to add in young talent and draft picks from all of their trades.

The Coyotes have included Matthew Knies in their request for Jakob Chychrun, which the Leafs will not accept. Arizona's offer includes at least one future first-round pick, one recently selected first-round pick and a prospect. The Maple Leafs countered with defensive prospect Topi Niemela as well as making other players available (such as Pierre Engvall, Alex Kerfoot and Pontus Holmberg).

Jakob Chychrun has also been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It remains to be seen which team lands him before the trade deadline.

#3. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Chicago Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane is set to leave the organization after playing for 16 years for the team that drafted him first overall in 2007. The 34 year old has a lot of experience, especially in the Stanley Cup playoffs, which might help Toronto in their quest to win the championship.

Kane will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current season and the Blackhawks won't want to let him walk for free. It would be interesting to see him play upfront with the likes of Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs will host the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced in a press conference that the city of Toronto will host the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend. This will be the ninth time Toronto has hosted the All-Star Game and its first since 2000.

International musician and fellow Canadian, Justin Bieber, took to social media inviting fans to Toronto next year for the All-Star Game.