NHL Rumors: Analyzing Trade Buzz on Ryan O'Reilly, Maple Leafs and More

The rumor mill churned rather slowly around the NHL All-Star break, but the buzz should pick up soon enough.

"There really isn't a lot going on," one league executive told the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch. "At this point, I would think teams are waiting for the first domino to fall and once that happens it might open things up for teams to make moves."

For the time being, the Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of names in the headlines as potential trade candidates. Toronto has been trying to compete for years without any results—other than a first-round postseason appearance in 2013—so it makes sense that the Leafs are in the market for a move.

Speculation persists on talented Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly and underwhelming Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian as well.

Below is a closer look at the latest rumors coming out of Toronto and the intel regarding O'Reilly and Kassian.

Ryan O'Reilly Leaving Colorado Before Season's End?

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As long as forwards Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon are on the Avalanche, there will continue to be some sort of trade buzz.

It just so happens that O'Reilly has been the focal point of it among Colorado's trio of talented centers.

O'Reilly is one of the most prominent big names in recent NHL trade whispers, and Sportsnet.ca's Elliotte Friedman (h/t Marco Perruzza) weighed in on the forward's future:

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Friedman on Brady & Walker "there's no doubt he's [Ryan O'Reilly] available. Would be really surprised if he isn't traded before next season

— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) January 23, 2015"

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Friedman "I was talking to one GM, who I think would have interest in him [ROR], he said the biggest thing would..."

— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) January 23, 2015"

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Friedman "...be what are chances of me signing him before trading for him"

— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) January 23, 2015"

After scoring a career-high 28 goals last season, the 23-year-old O'Reilly hasn't quite matched that type of production this year. ESPN.com has him on pace for just 44 points in 82 games, compared to the 64 he put up in 80 contests a season ago.

With such a surplus at one position, it's possible that the Avs could get a ton in return for O'Reilly to address other areas of need.

Friedman (h/t Sportsnet 590 The Fan) also spoke about the desired compensation for O'Reilly:

Colorado is 21st in goals allowed per contest and could use some defensive depth with injury-plagued Ryan Wilson out of the lineup. Then again, the playoffs are still a realistic possibility with the current team intact, so the Avs have a tough decision on their hands. They're currently four points of a wild-card spot.

MacKinnon is just 19 and still has plenty to prove, though his ceiling is extremely high and playing increased minutes will expedite his development in the event O'Reilly leaves the Mile High City.

Contracts Make Marquee Moves Tough for Maple Leafs

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All-Star Phil Kessel has surfaced in the latest rumors, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun:

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Word around the league is that Kessel would garner plenty of interest in a deal, making him potentially one of the team’s best assets. Indications are there are no untouchables on the Leafs roster and you can be sure a playoff-bound team would love to add a dose of Kessel offence.

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Kessel is a unique offensive talent, but the Leafs do indeed have to weigh the pros and cons of letting someone like him go—even with his expensive contract on the books.

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet weighed in on the interest Kessel could draw if he's shopped:

Captain Dion Phaneuf and right winger David Clarkson are better candidates to be traded.

This information comes from the previously cited Ottawa Sun report by Garrioch, who provided more specifics on the issue presented with Phaneuf's trade value.

"You're going to have a pretty tough time moving that contract unless you're willing to take back somebody else's problem," an executive told Garrioch.

The 2014-15 campaign is the first year of seven in Phaneuf's $49 million contract. That the defenseman is on the block and supposed to be the leader of the Leafs shows that the franchise is far from where it wants to be.

Mark Masters of TSN logged comments made by Phaneuf amid a frustrating stretch that's now seen Toronto lose nine of its last 10 games:

Clarkson is another player who could be used as trade bait, but his $5.25 million salary-cap hit is one Garrioch implies other teams won't want to absorb.

Exchanging Phaneuf for a lot of young assets seems to be a sound long-term strategy for Toronto. On the other hand, its proud organization seems bound to miss the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years, so effective change must happen sooner rather than later.

Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan should be given time in his maiden season at the helm of hockey operations. Little improvement has transpired since Toronto fired coach Randy Carlyle on January 6, though—another factor that makes evaluating the Leafs' top-tier talent for trade value harder.

The Canucks' Zack Kassian Dilemma

Vancouver doesn't want to see such a gifted player in Kassian, just 24 years old, thrive elsewhere in the event it decides to trade him. However, the club also risks drying up Kassian's trade market by not dealing him and risking that he doesn't develop as expected.

Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province has the latest inside information on Kassian:

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Teams have called but Kassian's trade value is sliding like the price of oil. And unless general manager Jim Benning can acquire a player of similar stature in return — a big body for a big body — then the Canucks would become an even smaller club trying to rub shoulders with the big boys in California.

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When Kassian got a chance to see the ice more often due to an injury to Brad Richardson, the young right winger vowed to capitalize, via the Vancouver Sun's Iain MacIntyre:

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Healthy scratch Zack Kassian, two weeks ago: “When I get my chance, I'm not going to come out, I'll tell you that.” Didn't last.

— Iain MacIntyre (@imacVanSun) January 16, 2015 "

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

But that didn't materialize, as Kassian was a healthy scratch just four games later and failed to make much of an impact. That lack of production has to scare potential trade partners, yet if his potential is harnessed, Kassian could be had at a true bargain.

Kassian must play with more consistent aggression and physicality moving forward. His size is his biggest asset, and he isn't using it as well as he could, producing just two goals and three assists in 24 games.

Otherwise, Kassian will continue to fall short of expectations.

As Kuzma points out in his report, though, Vancouver's need for size up front is a big reason Kassian is still on the team. It's difficult to find a 6'3", 214-pounder like Kassian on the trade block.

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.