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.

Philadelphia Flyers forward James Van Riemsdyk is on the block and would have been traded had he not been concussed earlier in the year, reports the panel on SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker.

According to SportsNet hockey analyst John Shannon, Van Riemsdyk doesn’t fitting with general manager Paul Holmgren’s plans for the Flyers. While the 2007 second overall draft pick is big, highly skilled, and a great playoff performer thus far in his young NHL career as Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star points out, he is not overly physical — an attribute that apparently doesn’t sit to well with Holmgren. And so he could be moved for a piece that’s more valuable to the Flyers.

The HockeyCentral panel listed the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destination if he were to be dealt.

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi is desperately trying to improve his club’s offense; Van Riemsdyk had 7 goals in 11 games during the 2011 playoffs. Lombardi likes dealing with teams that he’s familiar with, and since he worked for the Flyers after being fired from San Jose, the two teams could end up as trading partners.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has an affinity for big-bodied, talented players and doesn’t put a premium on their physicality. Wilson, too, is looking to add a scorer.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported recently that the Blue Jackets have asked for Van Riemsdyk, as part of a package that also included Sergei Bobrovsky, Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier, in exchange for their captain, Rick Nash. If the Flyers want Nash, Van Riemsdyk must be included in any trade.

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

The Flyers were said to be close to dealing Van Riemsdyk to Toronto for blueliner Luke Schenn. The New Jersey native had been linked to the Maple Leafs long before he suffered his concussion on January 12th, as Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun, and others have reported. Rumors about a potential deal with Toronto have died down, and after picking up defensemen Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina, it’s unclear whether the Flyers have any interest in Schenn anymore, as Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun points out.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Meanwhile, Van Riemsdyk told Sarah Baicker of CSNPhilly and other reporters during a media scrum back on February 17 that hearing his name in rumors has been difficult. Especially when his character was being taken into question. Internet chatter had the 22-year-old winger “playing hurt” to avoid being traded.

It’s funny when people question your character that have never even met you before. That’s one thing I pride myself on, is being a hard-working guy that has a high character. And when people say that about you, you can only just laugh about it and just let it roll off you.

I’m not selfish. If that [getting traded] is to happen, whatever. It’s part of the game. So I’m just going to focus on what’s going on now, and that’s playing and helping the Flyers win games.

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

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager met with his Columbus Blue Jackets counterpart Scott Howson today to discuss a potential trade for Rick Nash, according to SportsNet.

SportsNet‘s Nick Kypreos speculated that the Blue Jackets would want a combination of players from the Maple Leafs that could include Nazem Kadri, Luke Schenn, Nikolai Kulemin and maybe James Reimer.

According to the Toronto Star’s Damien Cox, if the Maple Leafs have any notion of trading for Nash the Blue Jackets will undoubtedly want blueliner Jake Gardiner as part of a larger package. It’s believed that the Maple Leafs are not prepared to deal their talented defenseman but have other young roster players and/or prospects that they may be willing to offer Columbus instead such as Kadri, Tyler Biggs and Matt Frattin.

For that reason, they could be one of the few clubs willing to meet Howson’s ransom for Nash. In addition, the Maple Leafs have the wherewithal to deal with the financial side of a Nash trade — which may not be the case for other teams.

The list of five teams that Nash recently presented the Jackets is made up of teams that Nash would prefer to go to, but not the only ones he would approve, Elliotte Friedman reported on the latest edition of CBC‘s Satellite Hotstove.

The understanding between the club and the player is that if the Blue Jackets found a deal they liked with a team not on Nash’s list they could go back to him for approval.

The consensus among the analysts on the Hotstove panel is that both the Blue Jackets and Nash would very much prefer to part ways before the February 27 trade deadline and not have to wait until the summer.

SportsNet hockey analyst Nick Kypreos, agrees, and suggests that Howson is shopping Nash throughout the League — not just the aforementioned five teams — to create a market for him, and potentially spark a bidding war.

This may be due in part to the market for Nash shrinking because of the asking price set by Howson of an impact player, two top prospects, and a first round draft pick, nor can they afford Nash’s $7.8 million cap hit.

Apparently, the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Vancouver Canucks have taken themselves out of the Nash sweepstakes for various reasons.

The Canucks don’t have the salary cap room because they are currently over the cap due to players they had bring in to replace players on long-term injury reserves.

The Flyers face similar cap constraints, especially after the recent additions of blueliners Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina. Hotstove panelist Eric Francis is baffled how the Flyers could have interest in Nash — Howson and Flyers general manager Paul Homlgren apparently met at a Flyers game to discuss a potential deal. They would have to dump a lot of salary to bring in Nash.

Also, Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly reports that the Flyers do not want to part with forwards Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. Frank Seravalli of the Daily News suggests that the Flyers don’t really need Nash.

Bruins general manger Peter Chiarelli has said he will not part with goalie Tuukka Rask or young defenseman Dougie Hamilton, but the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont lists David Krejci or Milan Lucic, and Johnny Boychuk or Adam McQuaid as potential trade bait.

While SportsNet hockey analyst John Shannon reports that Blue Jackets special advisor Craig Patrick was in Hartford last week watching the Rangers’ farm team, the Rangers do not want to trade defensemen Michael Del Zotto or Ryan McDonagh.

Larry Brooks of NY Post points out that the Rangers may face diffculties retaining their core players if they bring in Nash.

For those reason, many general managers around the NHL believe the deal will be made in the summer, a larger number of teams will have more flexibility to fit Nash’s cap hit. Shannon is of the opinion that because the Blue Jackets’ efforts to deal Nash have become so public, the Columbus captain will surely be traded by deadline.

Something that could benefit Toronto greatly, if they’ll have the willingness to part with the assets required and make the necessary financial adjustments to get a deal done.

Lastly, Friedman pointed out during the Hotstove that which ever team ends up with Nash, they will be inheriting his no-trade clause.

SportsNet‘s Damien Cox analyzes what Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke may do before the February 27 trade deadline.

Cox believes that while the club will make a play for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash, they may not be willing to offer up as much as other teams. Even though Nash is a player he’d love to acquire, Burke may be hesitant to deplete all the depth of young players and prospects he has accumulated over the past few years with one trade.

Burke may not be the only general manager thinking that way. EJ Hradek of NHL.com suggests that Burke’s counterpart on the New York Rangers, Glen Sather, may not be want to give up a big part of his roster to acquire Nash, either.

Meanwhile, Cox expects Luke Schenn‘s name to be prominent in rumors up until the deadline, thought it remains to be seen if he will actually get moved. His uneven play this season, and several game where he was made healthy scratch, may spur teams’ interest in him.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

As for forward Mikhail Grabovski, Cox thinks that Burke would deal the pending unrestricted free agent if a team offered him a first round draft pick in exchange.

SportsNet is reporting that the Maple Leafs have actually received a couple of offers for Grabovski that the club is considering.

It’s believed that Grabovski is seeking a deal worth more than $5.0 million per year. That is one of the reasons why the Maple Leafs may deal him.

The consensus in the media is that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke will not make a big splash before this year’s trade deadline.

The veteran GM told Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun during the Winter Classic announcement in Detroit that part of the problem is that the trade market is — and has been for the entire season — cold.

It’s very quiet.

Burke has always tried to avoid deadline day shopping because of his belief that prices are always too high, as he reiterated to Kevin Allen of USA Today several days ago.

Do a graphic for any year — the math doesn’t work. Fourteen to 16 teams add players. Prices are inflated, and there is one Stanley Cup parade at the end of the season. The trade deadline is a pit of quicksand.

While Burke may not go without tinkering with his roster this trade deadline, he may shy away from making bigger deals if he feels the cost is too much. As Doug MacLean noted, Burke doesn’t want to sell the farm and deplete his farm system for short-term gains.

Because the trade market is dead, Burke tells Craig Custance of ESPN he may have to wait for deadline day to make his moves.

I think people know I’m not a deadline guy, but we might have to do our stuff at the deadline because there’s [expletive]-all happening now.

So, what type of players would Burke want to add?

Aside from desperately wanting to add a top-six forward with size who can score — which, as Bob McKenzie of TSN points out, aren’t widely available — SportsNet’s Patrick Hoffman has Burke also wanting to add a two-way forward.

Philadelphi Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk.

Philadelphia Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk, a Burke trade target in mid-January, is currently still out of action with a concussion. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Maple Leafs have interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter, but Burke isn’t too keen on taking on his long-term contract. The Anaheim Ducks aren’t trading Bobby Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf. And the Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t as keen on dealing Ryan Malone, another former Burke target.

With news that Rick Nash has handed a list of teams — with the Maple Leafs being one of them — where the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowed to trade him to, it would make sense that Burke will explore the possibility of landing the big power-forward. However, there are some challenges on that front, as we already discussed.

Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star has an in-depth analysis of a trade for Edmonton Oilers’ Sam Gagner, and a similar breakdown of a potential deal for Carolina Hurricanes pending unrestricted free agent forward Tuomo Ruutu.

Any of these players would come at a high cost. So, which players and assets might Burke be willing to make available?

Hoffman lists current roster players Nikolai Kulemin, Clarke MacArthur, Cody Franson, and Luke Schenn as potential trade bait, while McKenzie adds Carl Gunnarson.

Burke may also put pending unrestricted free agent forward Mikhail Grabovski in play. Word from TSN’ Darren Dreger is that the Maple Leafs have been offered “a second-round pick and a prospect” that Burke believes can upgrade to a first round draft pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Colborne.

Garrioch reported on February 4th that the Maple Leafs are also willing to part with prospects Joe Colborne or Nazem Kadri (specifically for Ruutu).

While Burke may not feel the same way yet, Colborne told Koshan a couple of days ago that he would like a shot to be the type of player for the Maple Leafs that the club is looking to bring in from outside the organization.

I want to be the one the Leafs look (upon) to be their No. 1 go-to guy. It’s something I’m striving for. When I wake up every day and come to the rink, that’s the goal I have.

As for the rumors, Colborne says that he would prefer to remain in Toronto if it were up to him.

It’s old hat for me. I know Nazem (Kadri) has been in a bunch of (rumours) and we joke about it. People make it seem like we are so worried about it, but it’s really a relaxed atmosphere. I love being in Toronto and that’s where my focus is.

While the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t actively shopping Luke Schenn, the defenseman is available for trade, according to SportsNet hockey analyst Doug MacLean.

Schenn’s fragile relationship with Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson and the blueliner’s apparent loss of confidence are two reasons offered by MacLean as to why the Maple Leafs would consider trading him. Yet, the club remains cautious about dealing the 22-year-old, since they don’t want to make a mistake by giving up on him too soon. Defenseman usually take a long time to develop, and Schenn has the raw talent to develop into a top-notch shutdown rearguard.

Still, Schenn’s name has consistently been mentioned in trade rumors this season — especially those mentioning top-six forwards. The Maple Leafs could afford to deal him because of the quality depth the Maple Leafs have — on their NHL and AHL rosters — on the blueline.

MacLean suggests that teams looking to add a young defenseman may make a play for Schenn. The list includes both playoff- and non-playoff-bound teams, such as the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News reported a few days ago that the Flyers have Schenn on their short list of blueliners they would like to acquire as a replacement for the concussed Chris Pronger.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN has reported on a number of occasions that the Maple Leafs and Flyers have actually discussed a swap that would see Schenn head to Philadelphia in return to 22-year-old forward James van Riemsdyk.

Philadelphi Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk.

The 6-3, 200-pound van Riemsdyk has the perfect combination of size, skill and potential that Maple Leafs general manager would like to add to his top-six. However, talks simmered down when van Riemsdyk was sidelined with a concussion January 12, and the Flyers realized that they wouldn’t be able to get maximum value for him in return.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn.

Landing in Philadelphia would mean Luke would be reunited with brother Brayden, who plays forward for the Flyers. But while the thought may appeal to Luke, he tells Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star that he is happy in Toronto and isn’t looking to leave.

One day it would be cool to play together down the road. But right now I’m happy in Toronto and would love to be a part of the Leafs organization. In saying that, you also can’t control what goes on as far as trades go and the trade deadline… Anyone can get traded.

His brother, however, wouldn’t mind if the Flyers picked up Luke.

(The Luke-to-Philly rumour) has obviously been tossed around for the past month and a bit. It’s hard to go around naive and don’t read anything or hear anything or watch TV. You come to the rink the next day and there’s going to be someone talking about it. Obviously (Luke’s) name has been tossed out there over the past month and a bit. But those are just rumours and I guess we’ll see what happens.

We were the Red Wings in Saskatoon. It would be awesome to play with my brother. Ever since Day One we always wanted to. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Like I said before, rumours are rumours.

Brayden discussed the potential of playing on the same team with his brother in an interview with CSNPhilly that can be seen in the video bellow.

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.

On the latest edition of CBC‘s Satellite Hotstove, the panel reported that the Edmonton Oilers have not had any contract negotiations with restricted free agent forward Sam Gagner.

Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini is said to be evaluating whether Gagner can play on the club’s top two lines before deciding what the player’s future with the club will be. Gagner will have until closer to the February 27 trade deadline to prove himself.

If the Oilers decide to move Gagner, his recent eight-point game against the Chicago Blackhawks has no doubt made more than a few general managers have taken notice. Especially Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman who saw the record feat in person. Chicago has been rumored to have some interest in picking up Gagner, as ESPN’s Craig Custance reports. But after trading for forward Brendan Morrison in late January, Bowman may not be in such a hurry to make a deal.

Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun claims that a top-four defenseman must come back in return should the Oilers deal Gagner.

But like the Toronto Maple Leafs, not many teams are willing that price.

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal reported towards the end of January that the Maple Leafs had expressed some interest in the 22-year-old center. Toronto has a number of NHL-caliber defenseman that they can part with, including Carl Gunnarsson and Luke Schenn.

The problem is that the Maple Leafs may not want to include any of those players in a trade for the diminutive Gagner. Toronto is looking to bolster their center position with a big and truculent center that can score. Gagner does not provide that combination of skills.

But all these rumors may all be for nothing if Gagner shows enough in his tryout as a second line center. The club may feel that whatever they can get for him in a trade may not be enough for them to part with.

And that would be OK with Oilers head coach Tom Renney, who tells John MacKinnon of the Edmonton Journal that perhaps Gagner may be ready to live up to expectations right where he is, in Edmonton.

Maybe, in a strange kind of way, maybe the wheel has turned. Maybe we’re going in the right direction here now and we can start to talk about more special things. That’s what you can look forward to here. I’m not going to say it’s going to be a high-wire act every night and we’re going to be doing extraordinary things offensively every single time we play… but this team is going to be special, there’s no question.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash is telling close personal friends that he would not be opposed to parting ways with his current club, according to SportsNet‘s John Shannon.

Nash allegedly has become fed up with the constant rebuild happening with the Blue Jackets and wants to play on a winner. However, he will not demand a trade. He will only waive the no-trade clause in his contract if Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson approaches him to do so.

But do the Blue Jackets have any intentions in dealing their captain and the face of their franchise?

Reports by the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch and Andy Strickland of True Hockey indicate that Columbus have higher priorities that trading Nash. And that would include moving struggling forward Jeff Carter and his massive contract. There is no indication at the moment that Nash is being shopped.

In the case that the Blue Jackets put Nash on the trade block, Garrioch believes that it would take a hefty package to acquire the Olympic gold medalist: at least a top young player, a prospect and a first round draft pick.

Garrioch claims that the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers would be interested, but Nash’s $7.8 million cap hit through 2018 may be a deterrent.

One team that wouldn’t have problems accommodating Nash’s salary and cap hit, is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And wouldn’t you know it? Nash’s name has actually been linked to the Maple Leafs, as Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star wrote.

Internet rumors, fueled by AM 640 hockey analyst Bill Watters, ran rampant earlier this week that Nash would be heading to Toronto along with forward Kristian Huselius, in exchange for forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nazem Kadri, and defensemen Luke Schenn and Mike Komisarek.

Those reports were quickly debunked by TSN’s Darren Dreger, who reported that Maple Leafs general manager has not had any conversations with the Blue Jackets about Nash — who was born in Brampton, Ontario, just outside of Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke tells Kevin Allen of USA Today that he will look to make additions to his team long before the February 27 trade deadline.

Whatever moves we intend to make will be in advance of the deadline because I’ve never liked the price tag at the deadline.

It’s a tactic that Burke has employed in the past — partly because he wants new players to have longer to gel with their teammates and partly due to the high number of teams chasing the same players near the deadline — and there’s no reason to believe he will try to employ again this season.

I don’t think the math ever changes. The number of teams that think they can add a piece and get there is the same every year, and the pressure on general managers remains the same.

NHL.com Senior Writer Dan Rosen and the CBC’s Elliotte Friedman both list Burke as one many general manager who will be making calls to acquire talent before the trade deadline.

Friedman reported on the January 21st edition of the Satellite Hotstove that he has made struggling forwards Mikhail Grabovski (pending unrestricted free agent) and Nikolai Kulemin (pending restricted free agent) available.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

However, Burke denies that he has been shopping Grabovski or Kulemin.

We are not shopping [Grabovski or Kulemin]. We have been asked. But that is it.

Meanwhile, on a recent segment of SportsNet’s Sources Say, John Shannon reported that Leafs may feel comfortable shopping blueliners Luke Schenn, Keith Aulie, and Mike Komisarek to add some much needed help at center/forward because of their belief that minor league blueliner Korbinian Holzer would be an adequate replacement.

And If the Leafs don’t end up moving any of those three, than perhaps Holzer ends up being the one used as trade bait.

As for who they may target, Steve Buffrey of the Toronto Sun urges that Burke pulls the trigger on a trade to acquire some size and scoring to bolster the club’s forward group before their poor play continues.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that Burke has held talk with the Anaheim Ducks about center Ryan Getzlaf. However, sources indicate that Getzlaf is no longer on the market. Fellow Duck forward Bobby Ryan doesn’t appear to be an option either, as the asking price for him is too high — two top prospects and a draft pick.

Anaheim Ducks Captain Ryan Getzlaf.

Toronto Star’s Damian Cox suggests that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone would be a good fit, because of his size (6’4″, 219 lbs) and the power-forward type of game he plays.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

Cox cites the Lightning’s poor record this season and their financial troubles as reasons why they would move Malone. He would also not cost as much as Getzlaf in terms of both money and assets to acquire.

UPDATE: Adrain Dater of the Denver Post reports that scouts from a number of teams, including Toronto, were present at Saturday’s game in Los Angeles between the Kings game and the Colorado Avalanche. The Maple Leafs don’t play either team for the rest of the season, so let the speculation begin.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn.

As Frank Seravalli of Philadelphia Daily News reported on January 11th, the Philadelphia Flyers director of player development Don Luce has taken in three Toronto Maple Leafs games at the Air Canada Center in the past three weeks. And according to the Toronto Star’s Bob Mitchell, Luce was expected to watch the Leafs play the Sabres last Friday night in Buffalo, as well.

The Flyers, who are looking to bolster their blueline after loosing Chris Pronger to injury, are said to have their eye on Luke Schenn (older brother of Flyer center Brayden Schenn). Accquiring Schenn would make sense for the Flyers, since they can both help them this season and would also provide “capable replacement” for impending unrestricted free agent defenseman Matt Carle, who’s contract runs out July 1st.

The problem is trading Schenn to the Flyers doesn’t make much sense for the Leafs. Philadelphia (4th, 56 points) is an Eastern conference rival who are seven points ahead of the Leafs (7th, 49) in the standings. Technicallly, they could still be caught — and getting Schenn would definitely solidify their blueline. Why would the Leafs want to do the Flyers any favours? Also, the Flyers don’t have the frontline center the Leafs covet.

Meanwhile, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke tells the Globe and Mail’s James Mirtle that he is not in trade talks to move Schenn. In a recent meeting with the young blueliner, Burke assured him that he is not shopping him.

We’re getting a lot of calls and we’re listening. But that’s very different than offering a player. Fielding a phone call on a player is very different than making a phone call on a player.

However, if the right deal came along Burke told Schenn that he may pull the trigger.

I told Luke it’s not a guarantee that he wouldn’t be traded if something materializes, but we’re not in trade discussions with any team about him right now. We haven’t offered him to anybody. I don’t know where the rumours started. I told him that’s not happening.

When asked about the rumors, Schenn told the Toronto Star that he’s used to the rumors.

It doesn’t really mean much. They’re just rumours and I’m happy being here in Toronto. In the 3 1/2 years that I’ve been here there has been a few rumours about trades that were going to happen. They come up every year somehow.

One scenario that could play out is the Schenn brothers being reunited in Toronto. Seravalli believes that the Flyers might also be interested in Maple Leafs’ Cody Franson. Could that be the Maple Leaf Luce was actually scouting? And does Philadelphia have any interest in parting with Bryden Schenn to bolster their defensive core? Remains to be seen…