Can't get enough NHL rumors? Lyle Richardson's serves as a one-stop guide to the latest rumblings around the league.The New Year hasn't been kind thus far to the Maple Leafs, who sit in second place in the Atlantic Division. After dropping seven of their last 10 games entering Wednesday's contest with the Capitals, Toronto is indanger of being overtaken by the Bruins and Canadiens.Defense remains a nagging i sue, particularly on the right side. With the lo ses mounting, there's growing media chatter suggesting they could look for help in the trade market.NHL DRAFT 2019: | TSN's Pierre LeBrun the Leafs might be willing to part with their 2019 first-round pick in a package deal for a defenseman.His Jeremy Chinn Jersey colleague Bob McKenzie a good young forward like Kaspari Kapanen or Andreas John sonin the deal.Over the weekend, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos the asking pricefor a top-four, right-shot defenseman is very high right now. He also indicated the Leafs could dangle their 2019 first-round pick but claimed they're unwilling to part with Kapanen, John son or top prospect Rasmus Sandin.Kypreos' colleague Elliotte Friedman Jake Muzzin of theKings or Robby Anderson Jersey Radko Gudas of theFlyers as more affordable options. Muzzin, however, is a left-shot rearguard. Gudas would bring grit on the right side but he usually skates on the Flyers' third pairing.THE HYPE ABOUT JACK HUGHESJake Gardiner's defensive miscues recently make him the target of Toronto boo-birds but TSN's Darren Dreger said the 28-year-old D-man won't be going anywhere. He added the Leafs will attempt to re-sign Gardiner, who's slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July.If the Leafs fail to find a suitable defenseman before the trade deadline they could go shopping for one this summer. If so, perhaps they'll consider using William Nylander as trade bait. Sportsnet's Brian Burke the Leafs will move the 22-year-old winger this summer, noting they're already well-stocked with highly-skilled forwards who aren't big."Nylander has had difficulty regaining his 60-point form since signing a six-year, $45 million contract on Dec. 1. Neverthele s, Burke feels he's still a valuable a set who can fetch a solid return.Leafs John Miller Jersey general manager Kyle Dubas Nylander that he wouldn't be traded. Still, it wouldn't be the first time a GM has a sured a player he won't be dealt only to turn around and trade him later.MORE: | Derick Bra sard on the block again?Days prior to last season's NHL trade deadline, the Penguins acquired Derick Bra sard from theSenators as part of a three-way deal with theGolden Knights. With this year's deadline le s than five weeks away, there's talk he could be on the move again.The 30-year-old center has struggled since joining the Penguins. Due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, he might not fit into their long- Christian Mccaffrey term plans.Last week, The Athletic's Josh Yohe Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford admitted Bra sard has under-performed this season.Rutherford could either retain him for the rest of the season or package him with a surplus defenseman for a third-line center.Yohe's colleague Aaron Portzline he was told theBlue Jackets inquired about Bra sard, who skated with them from 2007-13. However, he admitted a trade between Metro division playoff rivals could be difficult to pull off.Shopping Bra sard to a Western Conference club would be a better option. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman the Sharks may have checked into his availability.MORE: Trade rumor mill quick-hitters The Hurricanes took a step toward bolstering their scoring depth last week by shipping center Victor Rask to the Wild for winger Nino Niederreiter. GM Don Waddell could still have another deal up his sleeve.TSN's Bob McKenzie the Niederreiter acquisition won't prevent Waddell from potentially shopping one of his right-shot defensemen for a scoring forward before the trade deadline. Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce and Justin Aaron Parker Jersey Faulk have at various times this season. Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds continues to feature prominently in the rumor mill. Philly.com's Sam Carchidi GM Chuck Fletcher said the 30-year-old pending UFA will either be re-signed or moved by the Feb. 25 trade deadline. The Flyers don't intend to lose him for nothing to free agency this summer.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman the Bruins orPredators as potential destinations for Simmonds. The Tenne sean's Joe Rexrode he'd be a good net-front presence for the Predators but felt he would be too expensive to acquire.