NHL Trade Deadline Rumors and News

[icehogfan08]

Since we are getting to that time of the year again, and there being more trades in Jan. & Feb. than on the deadline day we can start posting team rumblings here.

[icehogfan08]

Top 25 player Available:

1. Bobby Ryan, RW

The Anaheim Ducks would prefer to keep Ryan long-term, but given their lack of success, even with a coaching change, GM Bob Murray might not have any other choice.

Ryan is the club's most valuable tradable asset, and help on the blueline could be priority No.1 for this team.

2. Shea Weber, D

The Predators aren't in a pressing need to trade Weber, as he'll become a restricted free agent this summer and they can retain his rights. Even if they get the feeling they won't sign him long-term, they can look to move him in the summer. It will take a giant package in order to pry Weber out of Nashville.

3. Ales Hemsky, RW

There's a lot of uncertainty about Hemsky's future in Edmonton, mainly because it's believed his preference is to test the free agent waters this summer.

The Oilers almost traded Hemsky at last year's deadline and will likely pull the trigger on a deal this time around.

4. Lubomir Visnovsky, D

The most prized and most available defenseman appears to be Anaheim's Lubo Visnovsky, who has a no-movement clause and will need to sign off on any deal that's completed.

Visnovsky, however, has another year left on his contract, which should increase his value.

5. Derek Roy, C

The talk surrounding a possible Derek Roy trade keeps getting louder with each passing day, it seems.

Historically, Sabres GM Darcy Regier isn't overly active on deadline day, but he could look to shake things up a little bit in the weeks leading up to D-Day and move Roy.

6. Derrick Brassard, C

It's no secret Brassard, and his agent, would welcome a trade out of Columbus. The Blue Jackets have been trying to deal him for some time, and almost traded him to Ottawa in December.

Brassard's salary is a minor concern for some teams, as he'll command a top young stud and a high draft pick.

7. Francois Beauchemin, D

If the Ducks can't make any ground on a playoff spot, Beauchemin could be dealt for a nice turn. The 31-year-old could be among the top-available defensemen leading up to the deadline and will be costly.

Beauchemin owns a limited no-trade clause, though, and might have to sign off on a move.

8. Andrei Kostitsyn, W

The Andrei Kostitsyn experiment in Montreal will be over in a matter of months, whether he's traded at the deadline or not. He's a UFA this summer and it doesn't sound like the Habs will bring him back.

Kostitsyn can supply some extra secondary scoring to a team looking to make a run.

9. Olli Jokinen, C

Jokinen's preference is to sign a new deal with the Flames, but it's unclear if GM Jay Feaster is interested in keeping him beyond this season.

Calgary has battled its way back into the playoff hunt, but they'll likely jump at the chance to swap Jokinen for a younger forward.

10. Jack Johnson, D

The Kings aren't actively shopping Johnson, but they'll consider trading him for a top-line scorer if the opportunity presents itself.

Johnson's in the first year of a 7-year contract and his cap hit is very reasonable, even though he's not produced as expected this season.

11. Alex Semin, RW

Trading Semin, as we've documented in the past, is difficult for the Capitals for a number of reasons. His salary is the biggest issue, though, and that could result in teams offering a lesser package for him.

It's believed Semin will test the waters this summer as a UFA, which is also of concern for some teams.

12. Tuomo Ruutu, LW

Ruutu is expected to be moved before the deadline and should provide a Stanley Cup contender with some extra secondary scoring.

The native of Vantaa, Finland, is on pace for a career-high in goals and that will drive his price tag up.

13. Ryan Suter

Unlike Weber, Suter can walk as an unrestricted free agent July 1 if he isn't signed to a new deal. However, like Weber, the Predators aren't itching to trade him.

The Predators want to make the playoffs and moving Suter might hurt their chances. If he stays, they could deal his rights in the off-season, which might be likely.

14. Peter Statsny, C

Stastny's name continues to swirl around the rumor mill, even with his high price tag.

The Avalanche isn't interested in selling him off. If Colorado trades him, they'll want to swap him out for a top-tier player as the centerpiece of a large package.

15. Vinny Prospal, LW

Veteran forward Vinny Prospal continues to perform well in almost any atmosphere, and that could lead to a solid return for Columbus if the Blue Jackets decide to trade him before the deadline.

Prospal's a proven winner and should commend a nice package for the Blue Jackets.

16. Kristian Huselius

His recent trouble with the injury bug might prevent a deal from transpiring, but he's a strong top-six scorer when healthy.

It's too early to tell if Columbus will want him back next season, as he's in the final year of his current contract.

17. Tim Gleason, D

There aren't that many steady defenseman available, at the moment, and that could give the Hurricanes a slight edge heading into this year's trade deadline.

Gleason isn't likely to be back in Raleigh next year. It's believed the Hurricanes will deal him before Feb. 27.

18. Antoine Vermette, C/LW

Vermette, like Brassard, has been on the trade block for a good portion of the season.

The Blue Jackets want to deal him, but his salary and poor production isn't generating an enticing-enough return for GM Scott Howson to pull the trigger.

19. Travis Moen, W

The Canadiens may prefer to keep Moen and sign him to an extension, as he's been one of the few bright spots on their roster, given his capabilities.

Moen is only 29 and offers a gritty presence that contenders drool over.

20. Jonathan Bernier, G

The Kings are on the fence about trading Bernier this soon, as he's their insurance policy if the club can't get Jonathan Quick locked into a long-term contract next year.

That said, though, GM Dean Lombardi wants a top-line winger and Bernier's quite valuable.

21. Sam Pahlsson, C

As if the list of available Columbus players wasn't long enough, Pahlsson is another Blue Jacket in the mix.

He's set to become a UFA this summer and isn't likely to return. The Blue Jackets want to shed some salary and Pahlsson's two-way play would be a nice addition for a Cup contender.

22. Josh Harding, G

Harding's in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He's likely to test the market if he isn't traded by then, as he wants the opportunity to be a No.1 goalie in the NHL.

Minnesota is looking for depth on the wings and could flip Harding for a veteran forward.

23. Hal Gill, D

Gill has played a vital role in the development of the Canadiens' younger defensemen, but his tenure in Montreal might be coming to an end.

The 36-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent this summer and might not be brought back. He'd be a welcomed addition to any Stanley Cup contender.

24. Sergei Gonchar, D

Even though the Senators are in the thick of things in Eastern Conference -- for now -- they wouldn't mind unloading Gonchar and his hefty salary.

Gonchar has one-year left on his deal beyond this season, but also owns a no-movement clause. He'll have the final say if the Sens can find a taker.

25. Evgeni Nabokov, G

He's cheap, he's experienced, and he wants off the Island. He also holds his fate, though, as Nabokov has a no-movement clause and will ultimately determine where he wants to go.

The Islanders want a high draft pick for Nabokov, which has prevented a move, so far.

[icehogfan08]

Ducks With Another Piece

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky has joined the list of blueliners who could be available at the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline.

During the “Hotstove” intermission segment on Saturday's Hockey Night in Canada telecast, Elliotte Friedman claimed teams were interested in Visnovsky, though he'd have to agree to waive his no-movement clause.

Friedman also pointed out the 35-year-old blueliner will earn $3 million next season, the final year of his contract, though the cap hit will remain $5.6 million.

It remains to be seen if the Ducks are shopping Visnovsky, let alone if he's willing to accept a trade. Don't be surprised if he's linked with the Philadelphia Flyers in the rumor mill in the coming days.

AN AVALANCHE-BLUE JACKETS TRADE?

Adrian Dater of The Denver Post recently responded to a reader's question about possible moves by the Colorado Avalanche, saying if the club remains in playoff contention by the trade deadline there's a good chance they'll become “buyers.”

Dater pointed out the Avalanche have the cap room - their payroll is currently at $50.8 million - “to do something like pick up a name guy, even if only as a rental.”

He also mused over what it would take for the Avs to land either right wing Rick Nash or center Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets if they became available in the coming weeks, but noted it would be expensive to land either player.

Dater isn't the first scribe to ponder what it would take to pry Nash or Carter out of Columbus and probably won't be the last leading up to the trade deadline.

It's unlikely the Blue Jackets will move either guy, but if they did it would prove an expensive proposition - perhaps too expensive - for the Avalanche, who've been a cost-conscious team in recent years.

Then again, if the Avs were to offer up center Paul Stastny, a frequent subject of trade speculation who carries an annual salary of $6.6 million per season, there might be a deal to be had, provided Nash or Carter agreed to it.

HEMSKY TO THE PANTHERS?

Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News suggested the Florida Panthers would be a good fit for Edmonton Oilers right wing Ales Hemsky, whose days with the Oilers appear to be numbered.

The Panthers are lacking second line scoring depth and it's rumored GM Dale Tallon will soon be shopping for a top-six forward.

While Hemsky has struggled and has a history of shoulder injuries, Tallon might be willing to take a chance on him as a rental player, provided the asking price isn't too steep.

LIGHTNING STRIKE ISLANDERS CREASE TWICE?

Could the Tampa Bay Lightning turn to the New York Islanders once again for help in goal?

Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times observed it's been a year since Lightning GM Steve Yzerman acquired goaltender Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders and wondered if Yzerman this time will make a pitch for netminder Evgeni Nabokov.

While the Isles are once again floundering near the bottom of the standings, GM Garth Snow several weeks ago said he wasn't shopping Nabokov and he may be less inclined to do so now with Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya currently sidelined indefinitely with injuries.

Of course, Snow could change his mind later this month if his fading Islanders fail to gain ground in the standings.

If the Lightning do inquire about Nabokov, they certainly won’t be the only ones. Snow could hang onto him in hopes of getting better value in return closer to the trade deadline.

That could come too late to help the Lightning, who've stumbled in part because of their weak goaltending. If Yzerman's to make a move for Nabokov or any other goalie, he'll have to do it soon.

BRUINS ‘D’ HUNTING

ESPN.com's Boston Bruins columnist James Murphy recently concurred with a reader's assessment the Bruins defense could use more depth. Murphy cited Carolina's Jaroslav Spacek and New Jersey's Kurtis Foster as possible options, and suggested Islanders captain Mark Streit might be worth keeping an eye on if his club continues to struggle.

Spacek and Foster are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer, but Foster isn't expected to be available at the trade deadline. The Devils recently acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks and won't shop him while they're in the playoff chase.

Streit, meanwhile, has one more season at $4.1 million remaining on his current contract, but while his puck-moving skills would make him a good fit with the Bruins (or any other NHL club), there's no indication he'll be available near the trade deadline.

[icehogfan08]

Rick Nash has also said he would be willing to trade his NTC clause if the Jackets wanted to move him.

[TheChicagoFan]

I doubt Rick Nash will be gone. He's their guy.

From the list of top 25 trade available guys, there aren't any that scream out that the Hawks need to get them.

Getting any D would be good for me.

[icehogfan08]

Originally Posted by TheChicagoFan

I doubt Rick Nash will be gone. He's their guy.

From the list of top 25 trade available guys, there aren't any that scream out that the Hawks need to get them.

Getting any D would be good for me.

The top 25 is a league wide one, I think if we snag anyone I hope it's Tim Gleason. He is a favorite of mine, and a good tough defender.

[TheChicagoFan]

Originally Posted by icehogfan08

The top 25 is a league wide one, I think if we snag anyone I hope it's Tim Gleason. He is a favorite of mine, and a good tough defender.

Yeah, I know it's league wide. That's why I said that there really isn't someone that sticks out that I have to have.

I haven't seen much of Gleason, but I'll take your word for it.

[icehogfan08]

Gleason is legit

[DewsSox79]

gleason and ruutu rogers will not stop talking about as possibilities for the hawks

[tbo41fan]

Rogers is a fucking dumbass. Lol

Sassone is miles better than him IMO