NHL Trade Rumors and Speculation: The Latest for Every Team as Deadline Nears

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With the NHL trade deadline a few hours away, teams have already started making moves and will keep negotiating. Some teams will be buyers, others sellers and some will remain status quo at the spring trade bazaar.

Bleacher Report will be your one-stop shop for all rumors regarding each NHL team up until and after the trade deadline.

Will Rick Nash be traded? Will your team be a buyer or seller? Click on for a report on the rumors surrounding your favorite team as the deadline approaches.

Anaheim Ducks

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The Ducks have shocked the NHL as they have scraped and clawed their way back up the standings. However they now appear that they will not make the playoffs. It might be time to consider moving some players.

TSN lists Lubomir Visnovsky as a piece of trade bait the Ducks could dangle. At age 35 and with a year remaining on his contract, a team could inquire about him for his offensive prowess. He may be slumping this year but he is a year removed from a 68-point outburst.

Boston Bruins

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With both Nathan Horton and Rich Peverley sidelined, the Bruins should look to add a forward. They should have a good idea how much they can afford to add on for this year and the future as they have already started the process of trying to extend their impending free agents.

One player the Bruins could look to add is Milan Hejduk.

Hejduk has experience in the playoffs and James Murphy at ESPN Boston feels this could be a move the Bruins should consider.

Buffalo Sabres

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The Sabres are going to be sellers at the deadline. TSN lists them as a team with multiple players who could be shipped out at the deadline.

Both Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad are players that could be dealt to a team looking to add a first- or second-line center (Roy) and some bottom-six grit (Gaustad).

The Sabres are a team that really haven't benefited from their offseason acquisitions, so by dealing some of their valuable players they could look to shake things up.

Calgary Flames

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The Flames are a team that are bouncing in and out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Weeks earlier the Flames reacquired forward Mike Cammalleri in a deal that sent Rene Bourque to Montreal, so it is unlikely that they make any major moves as the deadline approaches.

However, after a string of losses, will Jay Feaster be pressured into making a move?

Carolina Hurricanes

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Jim Rutherford was thought to be a selling GM at the deadline but things have changed over the past few weeks. Tuomo Ruutu was a player that was going to generate tons of interest but an upper body injury took him off the market.

The Hurricanes also re-signed Tim Gleason to a contract extension as he left the market. However, TSN still lists Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek as defensemen that could be used as trade bait as the deadline approaches.

Chicago Blackhawks

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For the latest Blackhawks rumors, checkout Bleacher Report's own Tab Bamford's Chicago Blackhawks trade tracker.

Colorado Avalanche

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With players like Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog, the future is bright, but the Avs need help now. They may not be major buyers tomorrow but this is definitely an area they would like to improve upon and it likely will happen during the offseason.

The Avalanche's David Jones is one of the major pieces the team could move due to interest in his abilities.

TSN also lists T.J. Galiardi as a piece of trade bait that could garner interest.

Columbus Blue Jackets

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Rick Nash. Yes, it is two words but those two words are earth shattering. The power winger has hit the market, but will he be traded?

At this point it is unlikely because general manager Scott Howson is being unreasonable in negotiations. Teams were leery of his initial asking price so he responded by raising it. While Howson shouldn't give Nash away for free, he will likely get less value if he waits until the draft.

TSN also lists Sammy Pahlsson as a piece of trade bait that could garner interest.

Dallas Stars

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The Stars appear to be sellers at the deadline but could be buyers in free agency. The franchise hasn't been linked to any marquee names but they made a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers when they shipped out Nicklas Grossman for a package of draft picks.

The Stars are led by a young forward group comprised of Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn, so their focus will be locking those young stars up for multiple years.

TSN also lists Steve Ott and Sheldon Souray as a piece of trade bait that could garner interest.

Detroit Red Wings

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The Red Wings are consistently a well-built playoff contender. This year they are unbeatable at home so given the fact that they will likely maintain home ice throughout the playoffs, will they make a splash for a impending free agent?

The Red Wings already have added Kyle Quincey to bolster the back end but will they make any more moves? 

For the latest, check out Trent Reinsmith's trade tracker.

For the full breakdown, click here.

Edmonton Oilers

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The future of the Oilers lies in the hands of young players like Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Sam Gagner. Ales Hemsky is now apart of this core as he is signed through the next two seasons.

While the Oilers could likely build upon this group by adding some pieces at the deadline, The Edmonton Journal insists that the team will likely avoid a shakeup at the deadline, quoting general manager Steve Tambellini:

At no time are we going to be selling anything that is going to hurt our future, what we think is part of our core or something that is going to sustain good play for a long time. If it's something we feel will make us significantly better, long-term and short-term, of course we'll consider it.

But nothing for just a short-term gain.

Florida Panthers

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The Panthers made a splash in free agency and added a lot of the players who are responsible for the team's current success. The Panthers added Wojtek Wolski in a deal with the New York Rangers on Saturday that sent a prospect and draft pick back to New York. Could they look to add more?

Here is a quote from the Panthers GM Dave Tallon, courtesy of the Sun Sentinel, that suggested that the team would weigh each situation.

We're not sellers. We got five games before the deadline, so we'll know better. We got a good team, so it's a matter of adding pieces. We're moving forward from here; we're not subtracting.

Los Angeles Kings

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The Kings needed to add scoring and they did that when they added Jeff Carter. Carter was acquired in a trade that sent Jack Johnson to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dean Lombardi hopes his team can be sparked by this move and can maintain ground as they go down the final stretch of the season.

TSN also lists Dustin Brown and Jonathan Bernier as pieces of trade bait that could garner interest.

Minnesota Wild

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There aren't many rumors coming out of "The State of Hockey" and for good reason. The team was off to a great start and slowly fell out of the playoff picture. With Zach Parise set to become a free agent, every penny will likely be saved for him.

The Wild made a minor trade when they acquired Erik Christensen from the New York Rangers. When they shipped out Marek Zidlicky, they received Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux, defenseman Kurtis Foster, a second-round pick in 2013 and a conditional third-round pick in 2013 from the New Jersey Devils.

With these moves out of the way, the Wild likely will stand pat at the deadline.

Montreal Canadiens

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The Habs likely will be sellers at the deadline. They already shipped out Hal Gill for forward Blake Geoffrion so more moves could come out of Montreal.

TSN lists Andrei Kostitsyn as a player that Montreal could dangle to teams in search of a second-line winger. Kostitsyn is a player with limited playoff experience and is a free agent after the season so he would be an optimal rental acquisition.

There were rumors that Tomas Plekanec was available but they were deemed to be false.

Nashville Predators

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Nashville is not going to trade any of its key players like Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. The acquisition of Hal Gill indicates that the Predators are stocking up for the postseason.

In order to add players on value, the Predators would likely have to part with some of their assets. While a deal is always possible, odds are the Predators are Stanley Cup or bust bound and would rather deal with their free agents in the offseason.

New Jersey Devils

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The Devils added Marek Zidlicky to bolster their blue line but it looks like they are not going to make any other moves. Here is an update from Devils beat writer Tom Gulitti.

New York Islanders

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The Islanders are a team that, with a few more pieces, could be a solid No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The team has some solid young parts but isn't built to go the distance.

The Islanders' top trade piece is P.A. Parenteau, but the Isles likely will be hesitant to move him. Darren Dreger has reported that both sides will postpone contract negotiation until the offseason as Parenteau wants to focus on helping his team make the playoffs.

Teams have also contacted the Islanders about Evgeni Nabokov but right now he isn't available. That could change before the 3 p.m. deadline but right now it appears Nabokov will stay on Long Island.

New York Rangers

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Right now it appears the Rangers are out of the Rick Nash sweepstakes. It became apparent that Scott Howson was asking for the moon in return for his superstar captain. 

Sather may pursue some other options but he is very tight lipped so more information will become available during the day tomorrow.

Ottawa Senators

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With an unexpected hand injury to Craig Anderson, Bryan Murray went out and acquired Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues. 

According to the Ottawa Sun, all eyes will be on the GM at the trade deadline. Here is an excerpt from the report which gives some insight into potential deals.

All eyes are on Bryan Murray.

While Murray told the Sun last week he’d like to add a piece to help the Senators get to the post-season, he won’t so do at any cost. As we head into the final week of bidding, prices remain unreasonable.

Philadelphia Flyers

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The Flyers may have made some moves to bolster their defense but they are looking to add a starting goaltender. Yes, that is correct. The Flyers are looking for a goalie. What a surprise!

Here is a report from The Fourth Period

The Philadelphia Flyers appear to be actively scouring the trade market for a No. 1 goaltender as the trade deadline inches closer, a source close to the situation told TFP. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has been concerned with the play of goalies Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky, prompting him to search for a new netminder.

According to the source, the Flyers are willing to package Bobrovsky as part of a deal that could include left wing James van Riemsdyk, depending on the goalie. The Flyers are believed to be eyeing Nikolai Khabibulin of the Edmonton Oilers, Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Colorado Avalanche and Ondrej Pavelec of the Winnipeg Jets.

Trading James van Riemsydk to fix Philadelphia's goaltending now would be completely short sighted. The Flyers would give up a great young asset especially considering there are going to be a few goalies on the free-agent market this July.

Phoenix Coyotes

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As of now, the Coyotes look to be a playoff contender come April. Therefore they would need to be blown away to deal leading scorer Ray Whitney. While teams like the Rangers, Bruins, and Sharks have shown interest, it is unlikely he will be dealt.

Pittsburgh Penguins

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The Penguins are a team that may look to add some additional firepower at the deadline. With Sidney Crosby's future in the air, any team-altering move would occur in the offseason.

If the Penguins wanted to make a splash, they could contact the Kings about Dustin Brown if he is available. Other scorers like Alex Semin likely wouldn't be available to the Penguins.

San Jose Sharks

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The Sharks would love to add some more scoring but have a solid top-six forward group. Any major moves would involve dealing a key piece from that group, so odds are they are minor players at the deadline.

The Sharks put Antero Niitymaki on waivers weeks ago and no team showed interest. With that said, it is unlikely that they find a suitor for him at the deadline.

The team already has added Dominic Moore for centre depth so odds are they won't make any major moves.

St. Louis Blues

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The Blues are a team that has really been a turnaround surprise this season. Since Ken Hitchcock took over the team, the Blues went from zero to heroes in the Western Conference.

The team as constructed is defensively sound and has solid goaltending, and the team is unlikely to make moves at the deadline according to a local report.

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Steve Yzerman shipped out Pavel Kubina and Dominic Moore for a package of draft picks. Could the team be sellers at the deadline?

If Yzerman is stockpiling draft picks, he could be holding them to make a move at the deadline or could be saving them for the draft.

There is nothing clear but this is just some speculation on my part. With only four defensemen signed for next season and $17,928,084 in cap space, what are the odds of Tampa making a run at Ryan Suter or Shea Weber?

Tampa is an offensive powerhouse that needs to solidify its back end in order to make a successful playoff run. Finding a goaltender would also help. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

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The Toronto Maple Leafs' best trade chip appears to be Mikhail Grabovski but are they willing to trade him? Here is an excerpt for a Calgary Sun report.

Sources tell the Calgary Sun the Toronto Maple Leafs have been offered a first-round draft pick for Mikhail Grabovski.

However, even though the Leafs can’t come to terms with the 28-year-old centre, the club has no plans to trade him before Monday’s deadline.

The team is prepared to pay Grabovski upwards of $5 million a year but can’t agree on term.

Regardless of where contract talks go, he will finish the season with the team, as management believes the second-line centre will be crucial if the Leafs are to make the playoffs.

TSN also lists Luke Schenn and Clarke MacArthur as a piece of trade bait that could garner interest.

 

 

Vancouver Canucks

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The Vancouver Canucks are one team that Bob McKenzie feels could be active at the deadline. The Canucks could add another scorer but with significant cap space, there are a few ways they could decide to use their space.

Washington Capitals

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Mike Knuble is a veteran player who could generate some interest at the deadline but Capitals GM George McPhee put those rumors to rest.

We haven't had any conversations. He's a great pro, a great guy. We have no interest in trading him. He hasn't asked for that.

For the full story check out SB Nation's write-up here.

The Capitals are a team that could really do well from a fresh start but they are still in position to make the playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets

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TSN lists Johnny Oduya as a potential trade bait target. He is a free agent at the year's end so he could be a solid pickup for a team seeking to bulk up on the back end.

Additional Resources

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In addition to Bleacher Report's NHL trade deadline coverage, the following websites and Twitter accounts are vital resources for all trade rumors information.

 

The Fourth Period
• TFP's Rumors
• TFP's List of No-Trade Clauses
• TFP's Trade Deadline 

TSN.ca
• TSN's Trade Centre 

Twitter Accounts to Follow
• Darren Dreger (TSN)
• Bob McKenzie (TSN)
• Kevin Allen (USA Today)
• James Duthie (TSN)
• Greg Wyshynski (Yahoo! Sports)
• Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
• Dave Pagnotta (TheFourthPeriod)

In addition, as the rumors roll in it is hard to constantly keep this slideshow up to date so you can follow me on Twitter. If there is a rumor I missed or one that pops up, leave a comment in the slideshow and I will update the information.

 

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL trade deadline news, updates and alerts about players: