Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumors Heading into the 2012 Trade Deadline

As we all know, the 2012 NHL trade deadline falls on February 27th this year, which gives Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke exactly 42 days to make a deal that can get his team into the playoffs.

Before I continue on regarding Maple Leafs rumors, just as an aside, I would like to comment on the decision by the coach to take Jake Gardiner out of the lineup.

Has anyone else noticed that since John-Michael Liles got hurt, the offense is starting to slow down? And now with Gardiner out, the Leafs offense is getting worse.

The Leafs cannot go into games with the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and other fast teams with a defense corps that looks like this:

Dion Phaneuf-Keith Aulie

Luke Schenn-Carl Gunnarsson

Mike Komisarek-Cody Franson

There is absolutely no puck movement there. The Leafs are a fast team, and puck movement from the back end is key. The Leafs looked really slow in the last couple of games.

OK.

Moving on to Leafs rumors.

Luke Schenn and James Van Riemsdyk

The biggest rumor that looked to have some legs circling the web was a Leafs-Philly deal involving Luke Schenn and James Van Riemsdyk.

This rumour really started with common sense, seeing as the Leafs have an abundance of defensemen and the Flyers are looking for defensive help with Pronger out long term. Schenn was previously known as the future captain of the Leafs, and some still call him that today, but could he be the next captain of the Flyers with Pronger hurting and nearing the end of his career?

I don't think that a one-for-one swap would happen with JVR and Schenn, but if a deal was worked out with these two involved I can see Schenn one day wearing the "C" for the Flyers. Bobby Clarke would love Schenn, I think.

Sam Carchidi recently released that the Flyers officially shot down the rumor that Van Riemsdyk was being traded to the Maple Leafs for Schenn. “Not happening,” he said.

If the Flyers make a deal, it will be closer to the trade deadline. They have lots of interest in Ryan Suter and are not looking at him as "rent-a-player."

The Flyers have about $4.2 million in cap room. Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Bryan Allen and Tim Gleason are on their list but not at the top.

James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail recently talked to Burke.

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“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,” Burke said. “We haven’t offered him to anybody. I don’t know where the rumours started. I told him that’s not happening.”

"

Burke’s phone is ringing more frequently of late.

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“We’re getting a lot of calls and we’re listening,” Burke said. “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."

"

ESPN/TSN’s Pierre LeBrun indicated in a recent column that there had been talks between Toronto and the Philadelphia Flyers in the last week:

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I can confirm reports that Philadelphia and Toronto have chatted over the past week. The Leafs have long coveted winger James van Riemsdyk. Sources on both teams, however, told ESPN.com Thursday that nothing was close to imminent on any deal. The Flyers' top priority is to get help on defense, and it just so happens that's where Toronto has extra bodies. Still, as I reported earlier this week, Philly's top name on its shopping list is Suter. Tim Gleason of the Hurricanes also interests the Flyers.

"

Since then, JVR has sustained a concussion and may have ended any or all talk of a trade.

Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks

Another series of rumours have been bandied about regarding any of the top three in Anaheim and any player on the Leafs.

Lets say for argument sake that any of Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry or Ryan Getzlaf could be had for the right price. All GM's would be stupid to not at least call and gauge what it would take to acquire one of these players before having to haggle the price down for two weeks.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that sources have been saying that Burke appears to be targeting Ryan. It would likely cost the Leafs Joe Colborne or Nazem Kadri, a prospect and a first-round pick.

This is a pretty good price to pay for Ryan, but apparently it is not even close, as Doug MacLean of Sportsnet thinks that even a price of Schenn, Nazem Kadri and a first-round pick isn't enough to acquire Ryan.

I, personally, would pay both prices to get any of the top three in Anaheim.

Leafs and the New Jersey Devils

If there is a person out there that honestly believes that Zach Parise will be a Devil come next season after he came out and said money is a big factor in signing his next contract, they must know something I don't.

I personally think that at the end of this hockey season the Devils will lose Martin Brodeur, Lou Lamoriello and Parise.

I'm pretty sure that Parise will fetch a post-lockout superstar standard price of a top-six forward, top prospect and a first-round pick.

The Leafs are better off going after a center, but if Parise is available why not at least give the can a kick, right?

Garrioch reported that sources have been saying that Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has been gauging what Parise could fetch on the trade market. Moving Parise if they are in the playoff race will be difficult decision to make.

The Minnesota Wild will definitely be an interested team. Lamoriello will want a top young player, a prospect and a first-rounder in return for Parise. The Wild may have to wait until the offseason and try to sign him as a free agent.

Leafs looking into cap relief?

TSN Radio insider Darren Dreger reported the possibility of the Leafs dealing one of their defensemen for help up front (as has been widely speculated) and that Brian Burke would try to create some cap space by a forward from the top-six. Dreger specifically mentioned Clarke MacArthur as a potential candidate. The Leafs currently have just over $1 million in available cap space (per Cap Geek).

The are just about a week away from getting Colby Armstrong and Liles back from injuries, and this could be a reason why cap space may have to be created—not just to fit these players into the active roster, but also to have some flexibility to make a trade and to take on some salary.

So of all these moves, which one makes the most sense? Should the Leafs just grab the best player available for picks and prospects? Should they wait until the draft or free agency to add?