NHL Trade Speculation: 12 Teams That Will Be Most Active Before the Deadline

The NHL trade deadline is less than a month away, and several general managers must decide to make a bold move to contend right now, or stand pat and hope their depth is good enough to win in the playoffs.

Teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs face the pressure of needing to make the playoffs now, while teams like the Philadelphia Flyers are looking for the one piece that will elevate them from a very good team to a great team.

Let's look at the 12 teams that will be most active before the February 27 trading deadline.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have struggled mightily this season and have the second worst record in the Western Conference right now.

Star players such as Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan have been hot trade topics this season but it's going to take a lot of NHL talent, prospects, high draft picks or a combination of all three to pry one of those two forward from Anaheim.

Changes have to be made in Anaheim for the team to improve, and taking advantage of a desperate contender would be a smart move.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have the worst record in the NHL and are in dire need of a franchise goaltender. Their two most attractive trade pieces are forwards Jeff Carter, who arrived in the summer from Philadelphia via trade, and captain Rick Nash.

Nash is the face of the franchise and trading him before the All-Star Game next season, which is in Columbus, could hurt the club.

Moving Carter is something that would benefit the team because he has not fit in well, and he's talented enough to net the Blue Jackets a good return from a contender.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are just one solid player away from being a major contender for the Western Conference title, especially with the strong goaltending they are getting from All-Star Jonathan Quick.

Expect the Kings to be active at the deadline as buyers, and disappointing forward Dustin Penner will be someone they look to deal.

Detroit Red Wings

With some veteran players and and a fantastic young goaltender, the Detroit Red Wings are one of the top Stanley Cup contenders this season.

The team has the salary cap space to take on a good-sized contract before the trading deadline, and although they might not make a major move, they will certainly explore some options to improve the club.

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators has two of the best defensemen in the NHL, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, but both will be free agents in the summer and there is no certainty the team will be able to re-sign both stars long term.

The Predators have the challenging decision of whether to trade one, both or hold onto the two and attempt to re-sign them. Keeping them both would be a risk, but even if they decide to keep them expect Nashville to be in the market for a goal scorer.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are contending for a playoff spot but face the difficult decision of either keeping star winger Zach Parise or risk losing him in the summer when he can become an unrestricted free agent.

It would be uncharacteristic of the Devils to trade an upcoming free agent in the middle of a playoff race, but even if they keep Parise, they will look to add some more talent for a late-season push toward the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes

With the Carolina Hurricanes at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, expect them to be sellers at the trading deadline.

Despite defenseman Tim Gleason signing a four-year, $16 million extension on Monday, the Hurricanes have players like Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen who will interest contenders looking for depth on defense.

Montreal Canadiens

Underachieving players and injuries have hurt the Montreal Canadiens this season, but despite all the hurdles they've had to climb a playoff spot is only eight points away from them.

Expect the Canadiens to explore several different ways to improve the club, two of which could be adding a power forward and/or a reliable veteran goal scorer.

One thing the Canadiens don't need is goaltending, since Carey Price, one of the most underrated goalies in the NHL, is having a very good season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have built their roster over the last few years to contend for the playoffs, and with the talent to do so this season, not making the postseason is not acceptable for general manager Brian Burke.

The Maple Leafs have the prospects and NHL talent needed to acquire a major star, and will need to do so to ensure they make the playoffs.

Since Ryan Suter of the Predators likely won't be traded, the Leafs could have the most attractive young defenseman, Luke Schenn, to offer teams with offensive depth.

The biggest need for Toronto is a playmaking, No. 1-line caliber center.

Philadelphia Flyers

With key defensemen such as captain Chris Pronger suffering injuries this season, the Philadelphia Flyers need to acquire a big-name blueliner before the trading deadline or they won't make the Stanley Cup Final.

Pronger is lost for the season, and his void on defense is something the Flyers won't overcome from within the organization. The Flyers will be actively looking for a defenseman before the deadline, and need to be bold with the team in win-now mode.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins have a roster good enough to make a run at a second straight Stanley Cup title, but the team would be smart to add some depth at forward and defense like they did before last year's trading deadline.

With forward Nathan Horton battling a concussion over the last week, the Bruins could be in the market for a forward. As a Stanley Cup contender with good salary cap space, Boston is an attractive trade destination for veterans who are thirsty for a championship.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres spent a lot of money in the summer on free agents but injuries and underachieving play from top stars has hurt them. Buffalo is tied with the Hurricanes at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and desperately need to make a move for a playoff run.

They are only 10 points out of the final playoff spot, and will certainly be looking to make an improvement before the trading deadline. They are extremely close to the salary cap, so the Sabres don't have the luxury of being able to take on contracts.