With the trade deadline less than a week away, theScore's NHL editors debate some hypothetical deals. In this exercise, each member of the team - Josh Wegman, Josh Gold-Smith, Sean O'Leary, Matt Teague, and Brandon Maron - submitted a trade for debate, with the other editors voting on the proposal. Wegman provided the analysis for each swap.

Leafs add blue-line help

Submitted by Teague

Leafs receive: D Matt Dumba, F Ryan Hartman

Wild receive: F Kasperi Kapanen, F Jeremy Bracco, 2020 2nd-round pick

The Leafs finally get a right-handed defenseman, but Dumba isn't without his flaws. Though the 25-year-old has a heavy shot, his production has dried up this season and his isolated impact at five-on-five over the last four seasons remains an area of concern.

As illustrated in the chart below, Dumba has consistently allowed opponents to fire an above-average number of shots from traditionally high-danger areas over the past four seasons. Also, his overall impact in the offensive zone appears somewhat below par.

It's entirely possible Dumba could flourish playing for an offensive juggernaut like Toronto, especially with Morgan Rielly as his potential partner when the latter returns from injury. Dumba also has term locked in at $6 million a season through 2022-23.

One of the two protection formats for the 2021 expansion draft involves shielding three defensemen, so it wouldn't be surprising if Minnesota wanted to move someone in its top four. Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon aren't going anywhere, which leaves either Dumba or Jonas Brodin.

The speedy Kapanen gives Minnesota a much-needed right-handed shot up front, and someone who could potentially excel with more ice time. He had 44 points a year ago and is on pace for a similar mark despite playing a third-line role. Toronto would miss the offensive depth he provides, but the addition of Hartman would help ease that blow.

Bracco, 22, has lost much of his prospect shine this season, but he's just a year removed from a 79-point season in the AHL.

Minnesota may want to hold off on moving Dumba until next season so he can restore some of his trade value, but this offer from Toronto would certainly give GM Bill Guerin lots to think about.

Avs, Hawks pull off blockbuster

Submitted by Wegman

Avalanche receive: G Robin Lehner, F Brandon Saad

Blackhawks receive: 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 3rd-round pick (becomes 2nd if Lehner re-signs), F Tyson Jost, D Conor Timmins

Does Avalanche GM Joe Sakic really want to ride or die with Pavel Francouz as his netminder if Philipp Grubauer is out longer than expected? As good as Francouz has been, the answer is probably no. Even if Grubauer returns soon, he's only been mediocre this season. An upgrade would be worthwhile for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, and Lehner is one of the league's best goalies - he's just been stuck behind an awful defensive team in Chicago.

The Blackhawks may want to re-sign Lehner given that he's the better of their two goalies on expiring deals. With this move, they'd still have a chance to bring him back this summer, and if not, they'll get a better draft pick.

Saad would give Colorado an effective, middle-six forward. He has 18 goals in 47 games while posting some strong underlying numbers. The price tag for the 27-year-old is high because he has an additional year left on his contract, but the Avs could use the secondary scoring.

It's worth it for Chicago to part ways with Saad based on the return package. He's essentially replaced by Jost, who hasn't found his scoring touch in the pros yet. Timmins was picked 32nd overall in 2017 and would give the Hawks some much-needed youth on the blue line.

Oilers snag Athanasiou

Submitted by O'Leary

Oilers receive: F Andreas Athanasiou (Detroit retains 50% of Athanasiou's cap hit)

Red Wings receive: F Jesse Puljujarvi (RFA), 2020 2nd-round pick

Athanasiou is having a bad season, but who on the Red Wings isn't? The 25-year-old scored 30 goals a year ago and will be a restricted free agent at season's end. He can absolutely fly and would fit on one of Edmonton's top two lines with ease. There's familiarity too, as Oilers GM Ken Holland drafted Athanasiou in 2012.

Would this be enough for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to part ways with Athanasiou? It would depend on how much he values Puljujarvi. The 21-year-old has yet to prove he's a legitimate NHL player, but he's excelled overseas this season and is still oozing with upside. Given Puljujarvi's uncertainty, Yzerman may require a first-rounder to part with Athanasiou while he's still under club control.

Pageau heads south

Submitted by Maron

Stars receive: F Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Senators receive: 2020 1st-round pick, D Julius Honka

Pageau is the best rental center available, and he's frankly one of the only quality pivots on the open market. He's going to be in demand - and not just because he's already notched 20 goals this season - but he's been a very reliable defensive center his entire career, capable of producing offense in spurts.

Pageau's career numbers - both basic stats and analytics - are similar to those of Kevin Hayes, who was dealt for a first-round pick, a conditional fourth-round pick, and Brendan Lemieux at last year's deadline.

Pageau would be a nice fit on the defensive-minded Stars, who could use another center on their quest for a Stanley Cup. Giving up what's expected to be a late first-round pick, along with Honka - an unsigned RFA playing overseas who had demanded a trade - seems more than manageable.

The Sens would gladly take another first-rounder and a young defenseman with some upside.

Bruins land Kovalchuk

Submitted by Gold-Smith

Bruins receive: F Ilya Kovalchuk

Canadiens receive: 2020 conditional third-round pick (becomes a second if Boston makes Eastern Conference Final)

Last season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney added Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson before the deadline to help the club's forward depth without surrendering a first-rounder. Coyle remains with the club, but Johansson is gone and was never replaced. What will Sweeney do this year?

Boston is in dire need of an upgrade to its second line. Karson Kuhlman, who has just one goal this season, currently owns a top-six forward role. Kovalchuk has cooled off a bit lately, but he'd still be a major upgrade over Kuhlman at a reasonable cost.

The Canadiens could hang on to Kovalchuk to try and re-sign the veteran forward. However, considering they got him for virtually nothing, it'd be smart for them to try to acquire whatever assets they could for him, and then potentially attempt to bring him back this summer.

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