Toronto Maple Leafs Could Stand Pat At 2012 NHL Trade Deadline

Read More: Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks

If you're talking to Toronto Maple Leafs fans this Tuesday morning, they might not be all that disappointed in the news that their team could potentially do nothing at the 2012 NHL trade deadline. They've passed the hated Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference standings and they've bumped their playoff chances up to 90 percent as a result of Monday's win over the Edmonton Oilers.

But it's still surprising news for the Leafs and general manager Brian Burke, who have been active subjects in trade rumors for just about the entire season to date. The problem, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, is that outside forces are impacting the potential of certain trades.

James van Riemsdyk has a concussion, Jeff Carter has a huge contract, Bobby Ryan has been pulled off the market by the Anaheim Ducks, as has Ryan Malone by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Burke still might prefer to make a trade, but it looks as though he might just have to move on with his team as is. As long as they keep climbing in the standings, though, nobody will really care.

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