The Toronto Maple Leafs were dealt quite the blow this week, as #1 D-man, Morgan Rielly will be out for roughly 8 weeks with a broken foot.

Kyle Dubas has been working the phones trying to find avenues for upgrades. The Leafs have been linked to numerous teams, including the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks, for the likes of Sami Vatanen and Brenden Dillon. Add another team to the mix…

That’s right folks, the Mighty Ducks. Well, not Gordon Bombay’s team, Ryan Getzlaf’s team.

The Ducks are dead last in the west, and are ready to make some moves to build for the future. Something they essentially started when they bought out Corey Perry last offseason.

The Leafs have Michael Del Zotto and Erik Gudbranson circled, and both would be welcomed additions and would be a decent bottom-pair as the team heads into the playoffs. Del Zotto is from the area and provides contributions to all aspects of the game. He’s a cup winner as well, and from all accounts, one of the best teammates you could ask for. Gudbranson, on the other hand, is a handful. He fights, hits, blocks shots and has a nasty side to his game which the Leafs could desperately use. Especially in the playoffs.

If the Leafs traded Cody Ceci and Dmytro Timashov to the Ducks, the money would work out perfectly. Timashov would give the Ducks someone to look at for next season, and Ceci could replace Gudbranson in their lineup this year and potentially a few more if they deem there’s a fit there. Del Zotto is a UFA at the end of this year, while ‘Guddy’ is under contract for next season, at $4million, which the Leafs wouldn’t have a problem with, as it would be less than what Ceci is looking for on his next deal.

The Leafs and Ducks have a rich history of making moves and even though Brian Burke isn’t around anymore to facilitate, their current GM has one in the chamber and he’s ready to pull the trigger.