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.

Calgary general manager Jay Feaster said during an interview between periods of the Flames – Phoenix Coyotes game Thursday night with SportsNet’s Roger Millions that if his club is not showing they’re a serious playoff team before Monday’s trade deadline, the Flames will become sellers.

The Flames aren’t playing inspired hockey at the moment — having lost two in a row to the seventh place Phoenix Coyotes Friday night and the lowly Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday — and Feaster said he could be really busy if the team doesn’t show more urgency in their game against the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night.

If we don’t show a whole lot more urgency heading into Monday, you (media) guys will be busy as it relates to the goings on in Calgary.

But don’t look for the Flames to deal captain Jarome Iginla or goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, according to Allan Maki of the Globe and Mail. The club’s ownership “don’t have the stomach to do that.”

Maki suggests that more realistic options are defensemen Cory Sarich and Scott Hannan, and pending unrestricted free agent forward Olli Jokinen — although on the February 18th edition of CBC‘s Satellite Hotstove, Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun said that while the Flames haven’t had any contract talks with Jokinen, he wasn’t going anywhere.

Feaster said that he’s already made his big move by trading for Montreal Canadiesn’ Michael Cammalleri, so he will only look to tinker with his roster should the Flames play better. That means no Rick Nash, as Francis points out. Besides, with the returns of first line winger Curtis Glencross and defenseman Derek Smith to action this week, the Flames should be much improved going forward.

The Flames GM said he could be looking to add a rental player — a top-nine forward and/or defenseman — to help out his club make a stronger push for a playoff spot.

George Johnson of the Calgary Herald suggested back on February 13 that the Flames could use a play-making center.

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.

The San Jose Sharks have contacted Columbus about forward Rick Nash and are becoming a strong contender to land the Blue Jackets captain, reports TSN’s Darren Dreger.

The Sharks, as Mark Purdy of the Mercury News wrote recently, are in need of a veteran top-six forward that can provide offense with consistency. Nash is among a number of players that would fit the bill, however, Purdy points out that his $7.8 million cap hit through 2018 and Columbus’ asking price may be a make the Sharks turn their attentions elsewhere.

San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture. Photo courtesy Flickr user Dinur.

According to Dreger, the Sharks balked at requests from the Blue Jackets that forward Logan Couture be included in any deal for Nash. Couture, along with forward Joe Pavelski Purdy says, are non-starters in any deal for Nash. Despite those players being off the table, Dreger expects the Sharks to remain in the hunt for Nash until it’s over — one way, or another.

What the Sharks have going for them is that Nash and Sharks forward Joe Thornton are long-time friends and have played well together at international tournaments, which may be one of the reasons Nash included the Sharks on his list of preferred trade destinations.

And because he’s armed with a no-trade clause, Nash can dictate where he ends up — a decision that he will have to live with for the next six-plus years of his life. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson will have to accommodate Nash if the club is serious about dealing their franchise player.

Meanwhile, Howson told Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch that he doesn’t have a trade to make yet, but negotiations with clubs are progressing along.

We’re waiting for the right deals. We’re getting closer. But we’re not there yet.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

Renaud Lavoie of RDS reported Monday that the Columbus Blue Jackets have made forward Rick Nash available for trade.

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday that the Blue Jackets have informed a number of teams Nash was up for grabs — though not at the player’s behest. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun was also able to confirm that the Blue Jackets have become more open with the idea of moving Nash.

All reports appear to indicate that Nash has not requested a trade, however. Apparently, it was Blue Jackets management and ownership, during a meeting last week discussing the club’s future, who decided that the possibility of trading Nash needed to be explored.

Howson told NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor Adam Kimelman Saturday that the club has a plan in place for this season and beyond.

I’m not going to disclose what we’re going to do, but we certainly have a plan in place. We’re working on it, we’re talking to teams. We’ll see… it’s not just a pre-deadline plan. It’s a plan leading up to the draft and leading into next season. We’ll see what happens before the 27th and we expect to be active.

Even considering trading Nash would be a drastic change in philosophy for the club, as it has constantly denied any plans to part ways with Nash whenever rumors popped up. While rumors have been swirling around the struggling Blue Jackets, Portzline claims that Nash’s name wasn’t even brought up in any trade talks Howson may have had with his colleagues. General managers were well aware that the Canadian Olympian was off limits.

When asked to clarify his stance on the manner, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson was evasive but did not deny the club may attempt to move their captain.

We’re open to all options to try to improve the team. As far as rumors go, we’re just not going to comment.

Since Nash has a no-movement clause in his contract, the club cannot deal him without his permission. So, according to Portzline, the Blue Jackets approached Nash and his agent Joe Resnick to inform them of their decision. TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s reports his sources indicate that Nash has given his blessing and would consider a trade — on his terms, of course.

During an interview with Portzline last week, Nash didn’t sound like he would stand in the way of the Blue Jackets trading him.

I love Columbus. I love being here. I love being a Blue Jacket. The city of Columbus deserves a winner and deserves a good product on the ice. If it comes to that – like you said, all speculation – but if they don’t want me here, they want to move me? I’m not going to do something where it’s going to hurt the franchise just because I have that in my contract.

When asked today about all latest rumors of his potential departure, Nash reiterated how much he like playing and living in Columbus.

The last couple of weeks there have been so many rumors and when a team loses, more rumors keep on surfacing. That’s [all] it seems to be right now, is just rumors. I’m a Blue Jacket right now. I’ve played my whole career here and it’s a special place to me. So as of right now I’m a Blue Jacket.

However, as Dan Di Sciulloa of the Miami Herald suggests, perhaps Nash may not necessarily want to go though a rebuild with the Blue Jackets again. But as Di Sciulloa and LeBrun point out, that doesn’t necessarily mean a trade will occur before this year’s February 27 trade deadline. The Blue Jackets are not on a timeline — they can wait for the off-season to sort things out.

Stay tuned for a look at which teams may be in on the Nash sweepstakes.

Do the Vancouver Canucks hang on to backup goaltender Cory Schneider as insurance for the playoffs? Or do they trade him before the February 27 trade deadline to bolster their top-two lines or blueline? Their decision could prove to be pivotal in whether or not the Canucks win the Stanley Cup this season.

Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province makes a case for trading Schneider because his value on the trade market is “considerably higher” than his value to the Canucks.

Aside from being considered the best backup in the NHL having accumulated a 27-9-2, a save percentage around 0.930, and a goals-against average below 2.30 over the past two years, he only earns $900K this season.

SportsNet’s Mark Spector is on the same page, saying that current Canucks starter Roberto Luongo is more than capable of leading the club to the promised land and they don’t require to have the best backup in the League and its “most valuable trade asset” riding the bench.

The Vancouver Sun’s Cam Cole speculates that if the Canucks were to ship Schneider, it would be to an Eastern Conference team. Potential trading partners may include the New Jersey Devils (to replace soon-to-be 40-year-old Marty Brodeur), Washington Capitals (where Thomas Vokoun is struggling), and Toronto Maple Leafs (where James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson have been inconsistent). However, the chances of prying away a power-forward or a top-four defenseman from any of those teams is highly unlikely.

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

Spector suggests the Canucks should investigate the possibility of acquiring Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Andrew Ladd of the Winnipeg Jets, Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders, or Ryan Malone and a blueliner from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a deal revolving around Schneider.

Willes lists the trades of Dallas Stars backup Mike Smith for Lightning forward Brad Richards and the Montreal Canadiens dealing Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues for first round draft pick Lars Eller as perhaps the type of players a package centered around Schneider could garner the Canucks.

Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province analyzed a rumor that originated on an Internet message board and made the rounds during the All Star break. Word was that the Canucks were preparing to send Cory Schneider, forward Mason Raymond, defenseman Keith Ballard, and perhaps a third-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for 50-goal scorer Corey Perry. Like all message board rumors, it fizzled. It never made any sense to begin with. The Canucks get the best player in the deal. The Ducks get Schneider and spare parts. Don’t think so.

Still, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province speculates that the Canucks are showcasing Schneider by playing him important games like in the Stanley Cup Finals rematch against the Boston Bruins January 7 perhaps in the hope of getting a player like Corey.

However, Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault says that playing the 26-year-old netminder in high-pressure games is just part of his development process. Nothing more.

For us, Cory is a real young guy who has a tremendous amount of potential and it’s important for him to play some games like this. That’s part of our reasoning.

And that could be true. Or not. There have been numerous conflicting reports.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun source are indicating the Canucks want to hang on to Schneider because they feel feel he provides great insurance in case Luongo goes down with an injury. Having said that, LeBrun thinks that the Canucks may consider moving their backup goalie if they were presented with an offer they couldn’t refuse.

Similarly, during a recent segment of SportsNet’s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker, the panel hinted that the Canucks are leaning towards keeping the impending restricted free agent but would listen to “significant” offers.

Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun also wrote recently that the Canucks could be persuaded to move Schneider if teams are willing to part with a roster player and a prospect or high draft pick in exchange.

For his part, Schneider says he doesn’t concern himself with all the speculation of perhaps playing for another team after February 27.

I just think it’s not in your control and I don’t like worrying about things I can’t control. If I’m going to get traded, I can’t control that. It would be selfish to just think of me and not the team. Again, I could make it easy and not perform the way I want to and there wouldn’t be talk of anything. Hopefully it’s enough to make them think or help me play a few more games.

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.