Boyce, a pending unrestricted free agent, earns $700,000. Rosehill, who earns $600,000, will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke told TSN radio earlier this week that he will be active on deadline day.

I told [assistant general manager] Dave Nonis two weeks ago: I said ‘I don’t like the way this is shaping up’. I don’t think we’re going to do anything until closer to the deadline and we may have to be one of those people that figure it all out at the check-out register on the 27th.

However, Burke won’t force a trade or mortgage the future just for the sake of making a deal.

I’d like to add if I could, because I want to reward the group for how hard they’ve worked, but if it’s not there, it’s not there.

Speculation is that Burke is looking to add a goaltender, after poor performances from James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson in recent weeks.

We haven’t been dabbling in that market. But certainly it’s something we have to explore to at least find out what the price-tags are.

NHL.com analyst Kevin Weeks agrees that an upgrade in net may be required.

James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail and ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun list Cory Schneider, Jonathan Bernier, Evgeni Nabokov, Josh Harding, Curtis Sanford, J.S. Giguere, Antero Niittymaki, Scott Clemmensen, Anders Lindback, and Ben Bishop as possibilities.

The Maple Leafs have been seeking a top-six forward all season long, without much luck. But things may change on that front.

After acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the Los Angeles Kings may make captain Dustin Brown available. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star says that Burke would be interested in dealing for the American-born, if that was the case. ESPN is reporting that the Kings would ask for defenseman Luke Schenn and forward prospect Matt Frattin in return.

Brown, of course, would be plan B. The Maple Leafs appear to have made an offer for Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, according to Darren Dreger of TSN. Dreger reports that Toronto is trying to get Columbus to make a decision by Saturday on what they’ll do with Nash.

SportsNet’s Mike Brophy suggests that the Maple Leafs may look to add a depth forward, like Travis Moen of the Montreal Canadiens.

Meanwhile, the still unsigned Mikhail Grabovski may become trade bait if his contract demands don’t line up with what the Maple Leafs believe is fair, according to SportsNet. Teams like the Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes could use a player like him.

Dallas Stars pest Steve Ott alos interests Toronto, according to LeBrun. However, it’s not a given the Stars will move him before the deadline.

The National Hockey League’s worst scoring team may turn to their back up goalie, Jonathan Bernier, to help them out of their offensive woes.

No, the Los Angeles Kings will not ask what many view as the League’s top goalie prospects to suit up as a winger. Speculation is that the Kings will be ship out Bernier for a front-line forward.

As Elliotte Friedman of CBC, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, Kevin Allen of USA Today, and Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star point put, the stellar play of Jonathan Quick has made expendable Bernier.

The Kings can’t afford to keep an asset like Bernier sitting on the bench, especially when you consider that the Kings are in such a desperate need of scoring help, as Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told Craig Custance of ESPN not too long ago.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie and the Toronto Sun report that the pressure is on Lombardi to get his club into the playoffs, so may be forced to make a significant deal prior to the February 27 trade deadline to for an impact forward. And time should be of the essence. The Kings are trailing the Calgary Flames in a tight race for the Western Conference’s last playoff spot, and the Flames have all the tiebreakers.

The Globe and Mail, along with various other media sources, believe that the Kings may target either winger Rick Nash or center Jeff Carter of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

A package for Nash ($7.8 million cap hit) would be the most costly, and would have to include Bernier, defenseman Jack Johnson, along with another piece — a prospect and/or first round draft pick.

Trading for Carter ($5.27 million cap hit) would be cheaper — in terms of assets, salary, and cap space — because the consensus is that it would take either Bernier or Johnson, not both, to make a deal happen.

Aside from the Blue Jackets, SportsNet hockey analyst John Shannon lists the Tampa Bay Lightning (they need a goalie bad), Buffalo Sabres (in case Ryan Miller is moved), and the Edmonton Oilers (for Ales Hemsky?) as possible suitors/destinations for Bernier. Shannon was fairly adamant that Bernier is an attractive asset only to teams looking to acquire a goalie for the future, not one is serious about being a contender.

Friedman suggests that with the emergence of young Slava Voynov on the blueline, the Kings would feel more comfortable to deal just Johnson for a forward instead of Bernier. LeBrun wrote recently that Johnson’s name has been popping up in trade rumors with more frequency recently.

The Los Angeles Kings will only consider trading defenseman Jack Johnson if a premier forward is coming back their way, reports the panel on SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker segment.

The Kings are desperate for a major first-line scoring threat off the wing, and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi made it really clear to Craig Custance of ESPN that he’s well aware of it.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist when you’re last in the league in scoring.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports that Johnson is one of a couple of roster players — along with back up goalie Jonathan Bernier — the Kings will make available in a trade for an impact forward. LeBrun has confirmation (LeBrun) from “a few” unnamed “team executives” on that front.

Speculation is that the Kings will pursue Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash, and Johnson and Bernier would be part of the package offered to — or asked by — Columbus. Nash would be exactly the type of player the Kings need, and he has already given the Blue Jackets consent to a deal to Los Angeles, as reported by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

If a deal for Nash doesn’t materialize, SportsNet hockey analyst Doug MacLean stated that Johnson would not be in play for Jeff Carter, another Blue Jackets forward on the block and supposed trade target of the Kings.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter.

Other teams mentioned as possible destinations by the HockeyCentral panel include the Edmonton Oilers (although it’s hard to see which forward they would be willing to part with), New Jersey Devils (who desperately need blueline help), and the Philadelphia Flyers (who have a lot of great forward assets).

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Toronto Star and SportsNet hockey analyst Damien Cox reported Wednesday night that Rick Nash has included the Toronto Maple Leafs on his short list of teams he would allow the Columbus Blue Jackets to trade him to.

Cox previously wrote that Nash would fill the Maple Leafs’ need for top-six forward with size that can add some offensive punch to their attack. Sure, he’s not the center that the Maple Leafs covet, but it’s not secret that Toronto general manager Brian Burke loves big, skilled power-forwards like Nash.

The Maple Leafs aren’t the only team Nash is interested in relocating to, however. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch lists the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and San Jose Sharks alongside the Maple Leafs as teams that Nash has approved.

Portzline also reports that the cost to acquire Nash is a young roster player and a “combination of top prospects and quality draft picks.” Based on that, Portzline concludes that the Rangers have the inside edge, with the Kings a close second.

Apparently, the Blue Jackets have coveted Rangers’ forward Brandon Dubinsky for years, and New York has a number of young players such as blueliners Michael Del Zotto, Ryan McDonagh and Tim Erixon, and forward Chris Kreider. Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun also adds that the Rangers have about $7.0 million of cap space heading into the deadline, possibly giving them an edge over other teams.

New York Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Meanwhile, the Kings have a top goaltending prospect Jonathan Bernier to offer up, along with defenseman Jack Johnson as Zeisberger notes.

So what would it take the Maple Leafs to land Nash?

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner.

Zeisberger believes that Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson would surely ask for rookie defenseman Jake Gardiner as part of a package — one that would include at least three or four top prospects, young players and/or draft picks — from the Maple Leafs.

Aside from Gardiner, the Maple Leafs could offer a combination of roster players such as forwards Clarke MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin, and defensemen Carl Gunnarsson, Luke Schenn, and Cody Franson and prospects like forwards Nzem Kadri and Joe Colborne, and blueliners Keith Aulie and Korbinian Holzer.

But would Burke make such an investment? Zeisberger suggests that Burke wouldn’t want to completely sell the farm. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean he couldn’t get a deal done. Elliotte Friedman of CBC points out that Burke is a creative deal maker and who is know to have the ability to pull of complicated trades that require some degree of finesse.

If they were to acquire Nash, the Maple Leafs Maple Leafs would also face some cap issues. Toronto is already up against the cap, so they would have to do some juggling to fit Nash’s $7.8 million cap hit — which he carries for the next eight years.

We know that the Columbus Blue Jackets have made Rick Nash is available for trade.

We also know that Nash has a no-movement clause in his contract, therefore being in full control of where he will end up if dealt to another team.

Speculation is that Nash has already handed Blue Jackets general manger Scott Howson a list of no more than five teams he would allow a trade to.

What we don’t know is which teams he is willing to accept a trade to.

While Nash and the Blue Jackets has been linked to a number of teams recently, here is our take on who the contenders to land the one-time 40-goal scorer if a deal were to go down before the February 27 trade deadline.

New York Rangers

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that the New York Rangers have already contacted the Blue Jackets to inquire about Nash, but a trade to the Big Apple remains a long shot.

New York Rangers forward prospect Chris Kreider.

For one thing, as Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News points out, the Rangers would have to clear some cap space to accommodate Nash’s $7.8 million annual cap hit this season, and especially going forward. Secondly, the cost in terms of assets appears to be much more than the package reported by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun of Brandon Dubinsky, highly touted prospect Chris Kreider, and a first-round draft pick. While Rangers general manager Glen Sather wants to add a legitimate goal-scorer for the playoffs, he may not be interested in paying that high a price for Nash.

Still, we can’t shake the feeling that the Rangers have it bad for Nash, especially when they two teams have been scouting each other recently.

Leonard reported Monday that a Rangers scout was in Minnesota for the Columbus Blue Jackets game against the Wild, while a scout from the Blue Jackets “attended at least two of the Rangers’ past four home games.” Not to mention that the Blue Jackets sent three representatives, including Howson, to the Rangers-Flyers game in Philadelphia last Saturday.

Philadelphia Flyers

Speaking of the Flyers, NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor Adam Kimelman reported that when Howson and Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren were spotted having a long one-on-one chat during that February 11 game between the Rangers and Philadelphia. Howson says he prefers to have those kinds of meetings with his colleagues.

You do it both ways, obviously. But anytime you can get face-to-face with somebody and talk to them and have a little more time in a face-to-face encounter… I prefer it be face-to-face because I think you can get more out of it.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn.

It’s uncertain what they were discussing, but as CBC’s Elliotte Friedman points out that Howson attended a Toronto and Ottawa game to the surprise of many — because he doesn’t attend non-Blue Jackets games — a few years ago, and ended up trading for the Senators’ Antoine Vermette just days later. Time will tell if events will repeat, and if Nash was the player the two general managers were indeed discussing.

Sean Gentille of the Sporting News suggests that the Flyers could put together a package revolving around forward Brayden Schenn and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nash, who was born in Brampton (a suburb of Toronto), has also been linked with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A report earlier this month by AM 640 hockey analyst Bill Waters had the Maple Leafs sending Mikhail Grabovski, Nazem Kadri, Luke Schenn, and maybe prospect Joe Colborne as well, to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Nash.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri.

While that specific report was debunked by many media sources, it is expected Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke will at least investigate the possibility of acquiring Nash. The Maple Leafs have long been in the market for a big top-six forward, and Nash would fit the bill.

The Maple Leafs not only have the financial means to absorb Nash’s salary, but also have the ware withal to bury contracts in the minors in order to clear cap room, if need be. They also have a number of intriguing prospects — other than the ones mentioned above — such as defensemen Keith Aulie and Korbinian Holzer, forward Matt Frattin, and goalies Ben Scrivens, Mark Owuya, and Jussi Rynnas to make available for the Blue Jackets.

UPDATE (Feb. 15): According to Damien Cox of SporteNet, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on Nash’s short list he would allow the Blue Jackets to trade him to.

Los Angeles Kings

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun the Kings are also in the market for a scoring forward, and Nash definitely fits that requirement. The Kings have goalie Jonathan Bernier and defenseman Jack Johnson as well as prospects Andrei Loktionov and Slava Voynov, to offer the Blue Jackets.

Others Teams

Of course, a number of other teams could end up in the Nash sweepstakes. During a segment of TSN’s NHL Insider, McKenzie speculated that the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks may express some interest.

For more analysis of teams potentially interested in Nash, check out a video of TSN’s That’s Hockey panel discussing the various possibilities.

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman and the club’s front office must first decide whether they’re buyers or sellers heading into the February 27 trade deadline before any serious discussions about moving forward Ryan Malone takes place.

Yzerman tells Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times that he does not have a deadline for deciding if they’ll load up for a push to capture a playoff spot or unload players for futures.

The trade market dictates what, if anything, we’re going to do. At this point there’s nothing that makes any sense that is the right thing to do whether it’s short or long term.

What’s making it difficult to decide is his club’s 6-0-1 run in its past seven games, Yzerman told ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun earlier this week.

It’s still a bit early for that in light of the fact that our team is playing reasonably well. The timing isn’t right to look at it that way. We have to keep seeing if we can keep climbing into this. We’ll see how we do in the next few games. We’ll see how it all plays out. There’s no rush to do anything. There haven’t been any difficult decisions to make at this point because any potential [trade] opportunities really haven’t made sense for us, short-term and long-term.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not listening to offers for his players or investigating potential deals. Aside from Malone, Kevin Allen of USA Today, and Scott Burnside of ESPN believe that the likes of defenseman Pavel Kubina and forwards Adam Hall and Dominic Moore would garner interest from teams looking to add depth.

Our team is winning. My approach is that if there’s any deal that potentially can be done which makes our team better now or a better team in the future that’s worth doing, I’m prepared to do it. But at this point, nothing has made sense from my point of view.

That could change as the trade deadline nears and sellers and buyers become more clear and ready to deal. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: Yzerman will be ready to act accordingly.

All we can do is be prepared to act one way or another.

According to the Toronto Star’s Bob Mitchell, Yzerman has attended several Toronto Maple Leafs games recently. That only adds more fuel to the rumors the Maple Leafs are interested in acquiring the truculent forward.

As numerous reports indicate, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke wants to add a top-six forward before the deadline and Malone is one of his targets.

But the Maple Leafs aren’t, and won’t be, alone in pursuing Malone, says Mitchell. The Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and the Vancouver Canucks are, or would be, interested in making a play for the American winger if he were to become available.

Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times also reported earlier in the week that the Pittsburgh Penguins had director of pro scouting Derek Clancy and pro scout Andre Savard at a recent game between the Lightning and the Winnipeg Jets. Seven other teams had scouts at the game.

The SportsNet’s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel also has the New York Rangers as a potential suitor.

Allen and David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail claim the Lightning would love to stabilize their situation between the pipes by acquiring a goaltender. Allen lists Vancouver Canucks super-backup Cory Schneider as a possibility. Cristodero reports that Kings’ goalie Jonathan Bernier has been linked in trade rumors as a return for Malone.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider.

The former Stanley Cup winner much regarded playoff performer could be an attractive option for low-budget teams, not just the big spenders. As Globe and Mail’s Erik Duhatschek noted recently, Malone has a cap hit of $4.5 million for the next three seasons, but because his contract was front-loaded, his actual salary is $3.0 million, and $2.5 million for the final two years.

However, should the Lightning decide that the best course of action is to part with him, Malone would have final say in where he ends up as he has a no-movement clause in his contract (which transforms into a limited no-trade clause at the end of next season).

For now, Malone tells Cristodero that he is just trying to get back into the lineup after missing a number of games with an upper-body injury.

It’s something you can’t control. You can’t worry about it. It’s just people talking. It’s just the way the business is, so I don’t think twice about it.

He may finally return to the ice this Saturday.

As things stand now, things are setting up to be a sellers market. It appears that a high number of teams are looking to acquire a scoring forward or two, while not many are currently available.

Here’s a look at the latest rumors by position.

Forwards

USA Today’s Kevin Allen reports that the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are also interested in a scoring forward, while ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun adds the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings to the list.

Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun reports that Ottawa Senators will look to add some offense to their forward ranks if they remain a playoff team.

Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

TSN’s Darren Dreger believes that the Columbus Blue Jackets will shop high-priced forwards Jeff Carter, Antoine Vermette and Derick Brassard. However, Jason Brough of NBC Sports’ Pro Hockey Talk blog suggests that it might make more sense for Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson to move the recently-acquired Carter during the off-season.

In Anaheim, the Ducks’ Bobby Ryan is still hearing his name in trade rumors. He has been since November of this year. And as he tells Eric Stephens of the OC Register he has not spoken to Ducks general manager Bob Murray about the possibility of his departure from Southern-California.

Other players that are rumored to be available includes Drew Stafford of the Buffalo Sabres, Tuomo Ruutu of the Carolina Hurricanes, pending unrestricted free agents Vinny Prospal and Samuel Pahlsson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers. But with the high demand, and low supply, price will be high.

Defensemen

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason. Photo courtesy Flick user RangerRick.

Nashville Predators’ Ryan Suter may become available if the club doesn’t get him re-signed before the deadline.

The Hurricanes’ Tim Gleason may be coveted by playoff bound teams looking for a tough-minded defenseman. The Flyers may look into him if the asking price for Suter is too much.

Goalies

LAKingsInsider.com’s Rich Hammondwonders whether the Kings may move Jonathan Bernier. With Jonathan Quick’s sensational play this season, Bernier hasn’t seen much action and has been relegated to the backup role. He could garner quite the return on the trade market, since “highly regarded around the league as a potential future NHL No. 1 goalie.”

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

TSN’s Darren Dreger suggests that the Oilers will listen to trade offers for Nikolai Khabibulin. Due to their inexperience in net, the Oilers would require another goaltender in return for Khabibulin.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun also reports that the San Jose Sharks are shopping Antero Niittymaki. The pending unrestricted free agent is currently on a conditioning stint with the Sharks’ AHF affiliate.

Despite signing Brian Elliott to a two-year contract extension, St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong tells ESPN that he is not looking to move backup Jaroslav Halak.