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.

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.

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.

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.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have received calls about the availability of forward Mikhail Grabovski, reports Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan and TSN’s Darren Dreger.

TSN’s Insider Trading panel also reported that Grabovski could definitely be in play heading into the trade deadline.

Grabovski will be unrestricted free agent July 1st so his status with the club is in limbo at the moment — especially when talk of a new contract is non-existent.

On a recent segment of HockeyCentral’s Trade Tracker (see above video), panelists Doug MacLean, Scott Morrison, and Nick Kypreos speculated whether or not Grabovski will be dealt before the February 27 trade deadline, and his potential trade value.

His status as a UFA, the fact that he is on pace to set career high in goals, and his relative low salary of $3.1 million, and even lower caphit, were among some of the reasons why teams may want to take a flyer on Grabovski for a playoff run.

Contrary to Koshan and Dreger, MacLean reported that there isn’t much demand for the 27-year-old forward and only sees Grabovski being dealt as a throw-in in a package for a top-six forward. Morrison countered that Grabovski might actually be one of the main pieces in a deal for the elusive top-six forward with size that the Maple Leafs are looking to acquire.

Regardless, MacLean quoted Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke as saying that “He is not being traded. He is not being shopped.” Burke told Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star virtually the same thing.

We’re not even close to that. That will be a factor, whether a guy is unrestricted or not, but I accept unrestricted guys, too, if they can help us get to where we want to get.

Burke goes on to tell Zwolinski that while there’s nothing to report on the Grabovski front, he is looking to improve his club ahead of February 27.

If we can better ourselves, then that’s your job all year. That has nothing to do with the trade deadline. If someone stepped up with the right deal tomorrow, we would do it.

However, that doesn’t mean he’ll end up making any moves.

[I]f they (trades) are not there, then they’re not there. Sometimes, you have to keep pitching. I’ve done that (last-minute shopping), too. We’re doing a lot of listening and working the phones. Nothing I would characterize as imminent or close.

Meanwhile, Kypreos suggested that Grabovski would only garner a second-round draft pick if he were dealt on his own. And if he were to be moved, MacLean believes Grabovski would be a good fit for the Nashville Predators.

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.