NHL Trade Rumors: Reviewing Latest Reports Before 2017 Deadline Passes

As Wednesday's NHL trade deadline continues to draw closer, several teams are set to make last-ditch efforts to improve ahead of a playoff run.

While multiple deals of significance went down in the days leading up to the deadline, there are still some intriguing names on the trade block that could make a difference down the stretch if they are moved.

With the clock ticking toward 3 p.m. ET, here is a closer look at the latest rumors that could shape the rest of deadline day.

Ryan Miller

With free agency on the horizon during the offseason, Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller may soon be on the move.

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, the Canucks are exploring the idea of trading Miller, with the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks sticking out as potential landing spots.

The 36-year-old netminder is in the midst of his third season with the Canucks, and his numbers have been fairly average to the tune of a 16-18-4 record, 2.66 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and three shutouts.

Miller was once among the NHL's elite goaltenders, as he was an All-Star and won the 2010 Vezina Trophy while with the Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo dealt him to the St. Louis Blues at the 2014 deadline, though, and he has been a middle-of-the-pack performer ever since.

Although the Michigan native is nearing the twilight of his career, he could still be a quality deadline acquisition.

The investment would be minimal since Miller is strictly a rental, and, with 56 games of postseason experience under his belt, he would provide quality crease insurance at the most crucial time of the year.

Vancouver has already begun to clean house by trading forwards Alexandre Burrows and Jannik Hansen, so following suit with Miller would be a wise move. It would allow the Canucks to see if the younger Jacob Markstrom has what it takes to carry the load as the No. 1 goalie.

Curtis Lazar

Former first-round pick Curtis Lazar has yet to live up to expectations for the Ottawa Senators, and that may result in his departure ahead of Wednesday's deadline.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Sens have interest in trading Lazar and have already been offered a second-round pick, but they are holding out for a first.

Lazar is struggling through his worst NHL season, with no goals and one assist in 33 games.

He set career highs in 2015-16 with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points, but that is a far cry from the player who racked up 41 goals and 76 points as a junior in the WHL in 2013-14.

Lazar will be a restricted free agent during the offseason, and, with the Sens adding both Burrows and winger Viktor Stalberg recently, there is no room for him in the lineup.

While the allure of Lazar's potential may lead to a team making a significant offer, Ottawa's desire to get a first-round pick may be unreasonable considering how little he has shown at the NHL level.

Lazar has just 12 goals and 36 points in 176 career games, which leaves him well short of living up his draft status after being taken No. 17 overall.

If there is any doubt about his ability to turn things around, getting some value in return for him may be the best course of action.

Dmitry Kulikov

With several defensemen having already been traded, including top chip Kevin Shattenkirk, Buffalo Sabres blueliner Dmitry Kulikov may now be the No. 1 prize at the position.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Sabres are fielding plenty of offers for the 26-year-old Russian.

Kulikov is in his first season with the Sabres after getting acquired during the offseason in a trade with the Florida Panthers.

He has been limited to 37 games this season due to injury, and his numbers are somewhat pedestrian with one goal, one assist and a minus-15 rating.

Kulikov has some drawbacks, including a career rating of minus-53, but he is a physical player who logged major minutes for a Panthers team that made the playoffs last season.

He may not be a long-term answer, but Kulikov could be a great fit down the stretch as a temporary second- or third-pairing defenseman for a playoff-bound team.

Kulikov would strictly be a rental, and, since a playoff run is highly unlikely for the Sabres, getting compensation that could be as high as a second-round pick is an obvious move Buffalo needs to make.