from Mark Zwolinksi of the Toronto Star,

- Interest in Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel by unidentified clubs, and Joffrey Lupul from the Dallas Stars.

- Ryan O’Reilly available from Colorado for a defenceman (Jake Gardiner or Cody Franson) and top-six forward Nazem Kadri or former University of Denver star Tyler Bozak). Phoenix is said to be hot on the O’Reilly trail, though, with all-star defenceman Keith Yandle offered.

- Trade talk aside, the Leafs are reportedly focusing on re-signing Franson and hard-working forward Mike Santorelli.

The speculation will only increase if the slide continues. The Leafs have lost 12 of their last 15 to drop seven points out of a wild-card berth, and seven points from the NHL’s bottom five overall. That could make them sellers at the March 2 trade deadline, and candidates for the draft lottery.

What it also makes the Leafs is a band of players under extreme pressure to prove they’re better than the numbers show, fighting mentally to keep the trade talk from becoming a distraction.

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