New rumor links Brad Treliving to potential revival of failed Maple Leafs trade

Meanwhile, former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was keenly interested in acquiring Scott Laughton previously, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman.

"When he signed his extension with the Flyers, I think Toronto was trying to trade for him. It's a situation where he was gonna sign with the Flyers or get traded — possibly to Toronto. He knows they're interested and now he's thinking 'Oh this could be plausible,'" Friedman said.

So, it leads us to this question — Are the Maple Leafs gearing up for a revived blockbuster?

What a deal this would be, right? It's not Mikko Rantanen levels of blockbuster but it's certainly a game-changer.

Toronto instantly improves down the middle with Laughton, and the Toronto native would love nothing more than to win with his hometown team.

Laughton, 30, has 11 goals and 15 assists in 54 games with the Flyers. Adding him would improve Toronto's penalty kill, give its third line a lot more grit and toughness (not just by hitting, either) and give the team a chance to spread out its depth a bit.

Ristolainen has been the subject of trade talks as well for a good portion of the season and with Philadelphia spinning its wheels — it's time for greener pastures.

The former eighth overall pick has never seen the postseason, and Toronto would give him one of the best chances to not only make the playoffs, but win.

This season, Ristolainen has two goals and 13 assists in 54 games, but has improved considerably on defense under John Tortorella and can always be counted on for tons of hits and blocked shots.

Adding him alongside Morgan Rielly would give Toronto another shutdown defensive stud, but give Rielly the protection he needs when he inevitably pinches in the offensive zone.

Money may be a concern as while Laughton is fairly cheap at $3M, Ristolainen comes in at $5.1M for the next two seasons after this, so salary retention is a necessity.

There's no doubt a lot of moving pieces, salary retention and draft picks are being traded, but if it gives Toronto the best chance for a Stanley Cup, that's priceless.