"There was a ton of speculation last month about the Maple Leafs being interested in forward James van Riemsdyk from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Then the talk died down but according to the likes of TSN's Darren Dreger and ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, rumours persist that Leafs GM Brian Burke could take another run at the 22-year-old future star.

The scuttlebutt last time was that the Leafs would have to ship defenceman Luke Schenn to the Flyers — and maybe more — in order to land the big power forward, who suffered a concussion earlier this month but is now skating although not yet cleared to practise.

There's no doubt the Flyers need another solid defenceman with captain Chris Pronger gone for the season. Schenn isn't flashy but could prove to b"