NHL Trade Rumors: Ryan Getzlaf and More Power Forwards Maple Leafs Should Target

The Toronto Maple Leafs need more size on their top two offensive lines. This weakness is really hurting the team as they fall further out of the playoff race.

Burke even tweeted earlier this month that he's looking to add size.

As much as I like Joe Colborne as an NHL player, he won't give the Leafs the size they need in the second half of the season to make the playoffs.

Leafs general manager Brian Burke needs to make a move for a power forward who can score goals and be a playmaker. Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf is one example of a player who would add a physical presence and goal-scoring ability to the Leafs lineup.

The Leafs needs to look outside the organization and find an elite player that can spark the team to a playoff berth.

Let's look at three players that Burke should aggressively pursue before the February 27 trading deadline.

Ryan Getzlaf

The Maple Leafs badly need a No. 1 center like Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. The 26-year-old center would be a perfect fit in Toronto.

Per the San Francisco Chronicle:

"

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.

"

Burke not only needs Getzlaf for his defensive and leadership qualities, the Ducks star would help the team score on a more consistent basis.

The Leafs have lost their last three games and haven't scored more than two goals in their last four. During their current losing streak, they have scored four goals combined against the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers.

The Rangers are an elite team, and the Sabres and Senators are fighting for the playoffs. The Leafs have to be able to beat these types of teams in the East if they want to make the playoffs.

Adding a first-line center with toughness and scoring talent would be a tremendous help.

Rick Nash

The Columbus Blue Jackets star winger and captain recently said he would waive his no-trade clause if the team wanted to deal him.

Nash is the perfect example of what you want in a power forward: toughness, scoring and consistency.

Nash has scored 30 or more goals in six of his eight seasons prior to this year, and one of those seasons he didn't score 30 was his rookie year.

Nash is a proven goal scorer whose toughness and physical play raises the level of energy in his teammates. At 27 years old, Nash would thrive in a major hockey market like Toronto for many years, and would really give the Maple Leafs another dimension on their top line.

Bobby Ryan

If the Maple Leafs cannot acquire Getzlaf from the Ducks, then they should see if they can trade for his teammate, Bobby Ryan.

The 24-year-old star is a proven 30-goal scorer and an elite power forward who has the toughness and strength needed to dominate in the Eastern Conference.

One of the best reasons to acquire Ryan is his contract is quite manageable for the next few seasons. His current contract runs for three more years and has a salary cap hit of $5.1 million. For a player as talented as Ryan, that's a very good contract that won't hurt the Leafs' cap flexibility for the future.

Follow Nicholas Goss on Twitter for NHL news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.