Maple Leafs, Thrashers, Blake, and McCarty

After spending 12 days assessing the organization, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher tells Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun that he’s ready to begin exploring trade possibilities for his new club.

“I wouldn’t say the process has been completed, but I do feel comfortable in the direction we are headed,” Fletcher said yesterday. “We pretty much have a consensus when it comes to what we might be looking at doing.”

Fletcher, who has already spoken with veteran forwards Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker about the possibility of waiving their no-trade clauses, expects trade talk to pick up this week as the February 26 trade deadline approaches.

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Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell was in attendance for Sunday’s between the New York Rangers game against the Montreal Canadiens, perhaps scouting the teams for a deal involving pending unrestricted free agent forward Marian Hossa.

According to Brooks, the Rangers won’t make a play for Hossa because they do not want not part with their young talent.

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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Blake tells Dan Rosen of NHL.com he would rather remain with the club than waive his no-trade clause and move before the trade deadline.

“The main reason I came to L.A. is I want to build something here. It would be tough to leave that,” Blake told NHL.com. “I made that commitment to come here two years ago. That’s why I had that no-trade (clause) put in so I could make a decision.”

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The Detroit News reports that UFA forward Darren McCarty took a step closer to returning to the NHL by accepting a tryout with the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.

To be eligible to play in the NHL, though, the veteran forward will have to sign before February 26.