NHL Trade Rumors: Buzz on James van Riemsdyk, Cam Fowler and More

Every team around the NHL has now played more than 10 games, and that means it's getting to the point where front offices will start thinking about making moves. Whether that's searching for the missing piece or starting to look toward the future, the wheeling and dealing is on the horizon.

While the trade deadline isn't until February, certain teams can't afford to wait that long. For example, the Anaheim Ducks are off to a sluggish start and could use a spark to help jump-start the season before they dig themselves into too large of a hole.

So let's check out some of the latest rumors making their way around the league along with analysis for the teams and players involved in the early trade chatter.

James van Riemsdyk Still Targeted

Van Riemsdyk is one of the veterans the Toronto Maple Leafs will need to make a decision on as they go through a retooling phase. They must figure out whether he's worth keeping as they establish a new core or if it's better to move him now to pick up some pieces for the future.

The 26-year-old forward has been one of the team's most consistent offensive producers with 117 points, including 57 goals, over the past two years. He's tallied four goals and two assists in 12 games so far this season, making him a solid second-line option if he's still on the trade market.

The Fourth Period reports Van Riemsdyk was almost dealt during the offseason, but Toronto ended up keeping him in the end. While teams are still calling to see if he's available, the report notes it's not known if the Leafs are seriously considering offers:

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As TFP reported on Sept. 9, the Leafs almost traded winger James van Riemsdyk to the Pittsburgh Penguins before shipping Phil Kessel there.

According to multiple league sources, several teams have inquired about van Riemdsyk, but it's unclear if the Leafs are still willing to part with him.

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NHL Numbers points out the winger has a cap hit of $4.25 million through the 2017-18 campaign, and with the Leafs right up against the cap, moving him could give the team some relief. If they can get a solid package of prospects and/or picks in return, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get dealt.

Cam Fowler Heading East?

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Fowler with the 12th overall pick in 2010. He immediately jumped into the NHL fray as a teenager and is now playing his sixth season despite being just 23. While he's had some impressive stretches, he still lacks consistency and hasn't reached his full potential.

As mentioned, the Ducks aren't playing up to expectations in the early going, which creates some added urgency to make some type of notable move. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports the defenseman could be the player traded under the right conditions:

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The word is [general manager Bob] Murray is trying desperately to make a roster move before somebody gets fired. We've been told he's listening to offers for defenceman Cam Fowler but will only consider a move to an Eastern Conference team and will want a boatload in return to make that deal happen.

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Anaheim ranks last in the league with 17 goals through 12 games, seven fewer than any other team. So it would surely prefer a proven top-six forward as the foundation of any offer for Fowler, who's under contract through 2017-18 with a $4 million cap hit, per NHL Numbers.

Any team that's going to part with key assets to acquire him would need to believe Fowler is going to keep improving as he heads into his peak seasons. He's not yet the all-around, top-pairing defenseman the Ducks have been waiting on. That's not to say he won't reach that level, though.

Buffalo Sabres Seek Defensive Help

The Sabres are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after an extended rebuilding project. They are better than their 5-7 record would suggest, ranking sixth in even-strength Corsi and third in the percentage of high-danger scoring chances, according to War-On-Ice.com.

They are still a little weak on the blue line, however, especially with Zach Bogosian out indefinitely with a lingering lower-body injury. It's forced Buffalo to use mediocre options such as Mike Weber and Carlo Colaiacovo on a regular basis.

In turn, general manager Tim Murray is working the phones in hope of finding depth. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports it's not much of a secret, with one GM replying, "You're really on top of things. That's been going on since the draft," when asked about the Sabres' search for a left-shot defenseman.

The question is whether the Sabres would sacrifice a promising piece or two at a time when they still aren't championship contenders to add a veteran depth player. They may decide to wait a little longer to see how the season develops before making that call.