Four ''big fish'' options for Kyle Dubas at this year's trade deadline

For the Leafs, this year will be less about goaltending and defense and likely more about finding some help in the middle six - preferably a scoring winger for the team's second line or a more seasoned veteran to take over for young Pontus Holmberg at 3C for a playoff run. On that note, here are of the "big fish" that the Leafs may have an interest in.

Patrick Kane - Chicago Blackhawks

Kaner has 3 Cups to his credit already and with the Hawks ripping it down to the studs, so to speak, Kane and Toews could both find their way out of Chicago at the deadline. For Kane, he and Auston Matthews have a high level of mutual respect for one another and really wanted to play together at the Beijing Olympics for Team USA. That didn't happen, but perhaps Kane would be willing to waive his NMC to come to Toronto. If that were to happen, the Hawks would need to retain a healthy amount of salary and there may need to be a third team involved to retain a little extra. When all is said and done, the Leafs could potentially get Kane for a little $2.6M

Timo Meier - San Jose Sharks

Meier has a $10M qualifying offer coming his way this summer, so if the Sharks can't get him inked to an extension before the deadline, he very well could move as a deadline rental. Meier is a feisty, high-volume shooter who could certainly improve the Leafs' top six. The only problem is that he'll likely cost a considerable amount due to the fact that he's an RFA as opposed to a UFA. Mark this one down as the longest odds out of these 4 options. However, if they do add Meier at the deadline and he winds up with his name on the Cup or if he makes a huge impact during a lengthy playoff run, the Leafs could likely flip him in the summer for more than what they pay to acquire him at the deadline.

Bo Horvat - Vancouver Canucks

Everyone knows that there's trouble in paradise between Horvat and the Canucks, who just recently offered their captain a lower contract than the one they just signed J.T. Miller to this past summer. Horvat is a scoring forward whose game is built for the playoffs. He plays a responsible two-way game, who leads by example and plays with an edge. The cost to acquire him shouldn't be prohibitive either since he's a pending UFA.

Ryan O'Reilly - St. Louis Blues

The former Stanley Cup champion still has some quality hockey left in him and is a bona-fide playoff stud, having won himself a Conn Smythe Trophy with the St. Louis Blues during their Cup run. A playoff MVP could certainly help bolster the Leafs' 2nd or 3rd line and the defensive aspects of O'Reilly's game are an asset to any team who acquires him. Like Horvat, the pending UFA shouldn't cost nearly as much as either of the first two options.

Time will tell whether the Leafs go the "big fish" route or whether they just continue to tinker around the edges. If they nab one of these four guys though, it would certainly make them a more formidable team come playoff time.