Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Talk: Blockbuster with Anaheim No Longer in the Cards

The Anaheim Ducks have managed to claw their way from the basement to within five points of eighth place in the Western Conference.

Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf were linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier in the season when the Ducks were struggling mightily.

However, now that the Ducks are back in playoff contention, it would be nonsensical to trade away either one of them—or Corey Perry, for that matter.

The Ducks play three more games before the trade deadline, facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks.

If they can get at least four out of the possible six points during that three-game stretch, they'll be in good shape heading into March. They also play the Colorado Avalanche after the 3 p.m. deadline on February 27th and the Buffalo Sabres on February 29th.

Of the Ducks' five remaining opponents this month, only Chicago is currently in playoff contention.

Given this relatively light competition, the Ducks should be able to further close the gap between them and the current eighth-place Calgary Flames.

If the Leafs want to make a blockbuster trade—one involving a star player, at least—it appears the only potential partner left is the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Leafs wouldn't mind grabbing Eric Staal or a lottery pick from a bottom-feeding team, but a trade like that would be unlikely, especially since the season isn't over.

In the East, all the current non-playoff teams except the Carolina Hurricanes seem to think they have a chance of making a late season playoff push. This means that if they have any good players the Leafs want, they're not selling.

In the West, only the Edmonton Oilers and the Jackets are completely out of the playoff race.

Are the Leafs interested in Ales Hemsky?

No other Oiler outside of their untouchable top line would interest the Leafs, so that leaves the Jackets as the only potential trade partner.

If Rick Nash isn't coming to Toronto, Leafs fans should expect a relatively boring trade deadline this year.