NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Under-the-Radar Players That Could Be Dealt

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Rick Nash has been traded.

These are the type of moves that fans are looking forward to hearing on deadline day. They might not happen, but the rumors that lead to those types of moves that make the trade deadline so big.

However, the deals that go down are likely to be a lot smaller. Look at the players that have been moved as of this point: Dominic Moore, Hal Gill, Nicklas Grossman, Kyle Quincey, Steve Downie, Antione Vermette. Jeff Carter was moved last night, and he might be the biggest name moved this week.

It will be the lesser known players that will be the currency of the trade deadline. Players like Vermette, who was going to be listed in this very slideshow before he got traded, will be moving left and right and not the big names.

Here are the top five under-the-radar players that could move before the deadline.

Tomas Vokoun

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2011-12 Stats: 44 games played, 23 wins, .917 SV%, 2.52 GAA

Cap Hit: $1.5 million

While not playing that badly, Tomas Vokoun is not performing up to the way fans expected. With the Washington Capitals struggling to even get into a playoff spot, Caps general manager George McPhee could look to trade the veteran goalie. He has a good cap hit that won't scare off teams, and they can afford to move him with Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby in their system.

Drew Stafford

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2011-12 Stats: 58 games played, 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points

Cap Hit: $4 million

Even though the cap hit might scare off a few teams, Drew Stafford could be a target for contending teams. He had a 50-point season last year, but prior to that, he was up and down.

While everyone is focusing on Paul Gaustad or Derek Roy, Stafford could be the one to move. He could fetch a good package of prospects and/or draft picks.

Jason Blake

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2011-12 Stats: 24 games played, 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points

Cap Hit: $4 million

Injured for most of the season, Jason Blake could be a good depth pick for a contending team. Even with the Anaheim Ducks back in the playoff race, they can easily fill Blake's spot in the lineup with someone from the AHL.

A contending team that just wants more depth for a long playoff run could be willing to take the risk on Blake.

PA Parenteau

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2011-12 Stats: 60 games played, 12 goals, 42 assists, 54 points

Cap Hit: $1.25 million

PA Parenteau has been playing really good the past two seasons. Then again, he has been playing with John Tavares. An unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, Parenteau could be moved at the deadline.

However, a team has to wonder what type of player will he be if he's not playing with a superstar like Tavares.

Dwayne Roloson

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2011-12 Stats: 26 games played, 8 wins, .833 SV%, 3.67

Cap Hit: $3.5 million

Dwayne Roloson's age finally caught up to him this season, and as a result, Tampa Bay is now a definite seller. Now, while a team might not want to bring a goalie in that has stats such as Roloson, he would still provide experience to a playoff team with a young goaltender.

Just look what he did with Edmonton and Tampa Bay. A team might be willing to take the risk.