What Next for Leafs and Flames?

In the wake of the stunning moves made on January 31st by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames the obvious question is what's next for these two clubs.

Having gutted his forward lines acquiring Dion Phaneuf from Calgary and J.S. Giguere from Anaheim, Leafs general manager Brian Burke hinted during the press conferences announcing those deals he wasn't done dealing, claiming his club was "open for business".

That's led to obvious speculation over which Leafs could hit the trade block between now and next month's trade deadline.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, Lee Stempniak and Garnet Exelby are obvious choices given their UFA status in July, and some wonder if Tomas Kaberle might ask to be dealt.

The Flames meanwhile are reportedly working on a trade which would see them swap underachieving forwards with the New York Rangers.

Olli Jokinen along with checking forward Brandon Prust could be shipped to the Rangers in exchange for forwards Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins, reportedly pending Kotalik's waiving his limited "no-trade" clause.

SPECTOR'S TAKE: Ponikarovsky, Stempniak and Prust are probably goners by March 3rd, but I suspect Kaberle won't be moved until this summer when his "no-trade" clause won't be in effect, thus widening the potential destinations.

If the Flames-Rangers swap goes through it'll essentially be two teams shuffling underachievers in hope a change of scenery will hit the re-set button for them.

It's clear however Flames GM Darryl Sutter still wants to add more depth to his scoring lines while the Rangers are seeking offense plus toughness. If this trade falls through don't be surprised if they remain busy in the trade market.