NHL Trade Rumors: Ryan Getzlaf Would Help Maple Leafs Finally Return to Playoffs

Prior to the NHL lockout that caused the 2004-05 season to be canceled, the Toronto Maple Leafs had qualified for the playoffs in six straight seasons. Since the league returned to action, however, the Maple Leafs have yet to taste postseason hockey.

That will change if the team is able to acquire center Ryan Getzlaf from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have been shopping several of their top players in recent weeks, according to Jake Leonard of the San Francisco Chronicle. An elite playmaker like Getzlaf is exactly what Toronto needs.

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The Leafs have been on the prowl for a big playmaking center like Getzlaf for years, and Toronto general manager Brian Burke has a history of dealing with Murray, who worked under and eventually succeeded Burke in Anaheim.

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Toronto was hoping Tim Connolly—who they signed in the offseason after the oft-injured center spent an extended period with the division rival Buffalo Sabres—would become their top center. He's played well when healthy, but that's been hit or miss as usual.

First-line wingers Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul are both averaging more than a point per game despite a revolving door at center. If the Leafs were to put Getzlaf between them, it would instantly become one of the most dangerous scoring lines in hockey.

The Maple Leafs currently sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the ninth-place Winnipeg Jets in the playoff race halfway through the season.

So they are obviously in a precarious position. Any type of lengthy losing streak would be a major blow, but adding a star like Getzlaf to the mix would help ensure that doesn't happen.

That's especially true since it appears the Ducks are looking toward the future in any deal, which means Toronto shouldn't have to give up a ton of impact pieces to get a deal done. The report speculates the loss of Luke Schenn, Nazem Kadri and some prospects.

While not a cheap price by any means, it's more than fair market value for a talented player like Getzlaf. After watching him for a couple weeks, the diehard fans in Toronto would forget all about the package that was sent to acquire him.

General manager Brian Burke is not afraid to make a marquee move and the Canadian star probably wouldn't mind playing in his home country. It will be interesting to see if this rumor has any legs over the next couple of weeks as more teams start to fall out of the pack.

The Leafs are craving playoff hockey and Getzlaf would be the piece to make it happen. Now it's up to Burke to complete a deal.