NHL Trade Rumors: Deadline Deals That Could Shake Up Playoff Picture

With the NHL trade deadline of April 3 fast approaching, rumors are swirling around players that could potentially be traded in order for teams to make the best playoff push possible.

Once again, rumors surround Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo. TSN’s Farhan Lalji recently tweeted that Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said the team is entertaining offers from four teams:

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Gillis re #Luongo, "we're talking to 4 teams with varying levels of activity and various proposals" #canucks

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 1, 2013"

Though Gillis did not refer specifically as to which four teams are interested in Luongo's services, Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo! Sports speculates that the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams looking to add Luongo. The 33-year-old goaltender has a 2.44 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage this season.

Yet the Canucks will be picky when trading the veteran goalie. According to TSN, Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said on Sunday, “We need a third-line centre, but no one is going to steal Roberto from us.” He continued, “We’re not moving him for a rental. We need something for today and tomorrow.”

Apparently, Luongo isn’t the only goalie the Maple Leafs are interested in. Buzz is also surrounding Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames. TSN’s Aaron Ward tweeted on Monday:

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Calgary Flames have granted Toronto Maple Leafs permission to talk to Kiprusoffs representatives #TSN

— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) April 1, 2013"

Though Kiprusoff’s statistics aren’t as impressive as Luongo's—he has a goals-against average of 3.64 and a save percentage of.868—he would be “eminently more affordable,” according to the Toronto Star. Moreover, the Leafs wouldn’t have to deal with Luongo’s long contract, which doesn’t expire until 2022.

Finally, there’s right winger Jaromir Jagr of the Dallas Stars, who is soon to be a free agent. The interested team is Philadelphia, which currently ranks fifth in the Atlantic Division. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Sam Carchidi via Twitter, the Philadelphia Flyers “are having exploratory talks for Jagr, Clowe and Bouwmeester.”

Jagr would be a solid add for the Flyers as they make the playoff push. This season, the veteran has 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points.