NHL Insider: Rumors From Around the League

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Well the latest trade talks have been swirling due to the general managers' meetings at the Westin Harbour Castle on Tuesday.

Here are just a few of the most recent rumours that have been tossed into the hat.

Horton Hears a Trade Rumor to Whom

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if the Florida Panthers did trade the 6-foot-2 229 lb. Nathan Horton as it has been rumoured right from training camp.

Though the right winger is second on the team in scoring with four goals and seven assists this season, he hasn't warranted the six-year, $24 million contract he signed in 2007. But because of his potential and size, he still has tremendous value.

As always, the Leafs have been said to be interested, but so have the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens; both of whom would like to get bigger up front.

The Leafs may not have the assets to acquire the 24-year-old Horton unlike the Habs and Oilers who have fairly deep forwards and prospects.

In any case there is an elephant in the room as far as the Panthers are concerned, as Horton is destined to be dealt.

Leafs Finger Giguere

OK, so let's face it, anytime one of Brian Burke's former players is struggling there is going to be a rumour he is headed to Leaf Nation.

This one has Jeff Finger, Lee Stempniak and Vesa Toskala headed to Anaheim for Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Depending who you ask the trade makes sense, despite Jonas Gustavsson going 3-3-3 with an impressive 2.77 goals against average and .912 save percentage of late, the Leafs aren't convinced he is ready to be their number one guy.

The Ducks would receive two players in Finger and Stempniak that haven't produced, but haven't played poorly as well.

The catch though is that they would have to take on the- four-million-man, Vesa Toskala and his 0-2-2 record to go with his 5.13 goals against and .836 save percentage, which may be asking Anaheim to bite the bullet just a little too much.

The Leafs fans may just have to listen to Will Smith in order to get "jiggy with it" instead.

Canucks Target Kovalchuk

The Vancouver Canucks may have lost out on the Marian Gaborik lottery over the summer, but may have won the consolation prize. 

Since they seem to be in one of the best positions with regards to cap space and legitimate prospects to make a run at either signing the soon to be free agent, or trading for him.

The 26-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk is an offensive force that Canucks fans have not seen since the days of Pavel Bure, and could be the final piece of the puzzle on a team that seem all but destined to get to the finals soon.

With names like Cory Schneider, Michael Grabner, and Cody Hodgson at GM Mike Gillis's disposal, Atlanta should take a good hard look if they decide not to resign the talented Russian.

I gotta say as a Flames fan the possibility of the 'Nucks signing Kovalchuk makes me wanna upchuck.

Yzerman and Olympic Squad Counting Its Penners

With his hot play Dustin Penner has moved on to Team Canada's Olympic radar, and why not?

There have been few better than the 6-foot-4 245 lb. winger this season, as he is tied for fourth in the league in scoring with 11 goals and 11 assists.

Now the question is simply who to leave off the roster. Of course this is a Canadian team deep with talent, though struggling center's like Ryan Getzlaf and Vinny Lecavalier whom may have played wing could be the answer.

In any case the Oilers big winger has at least given the Canadian staff a "Penner for their thoughts."

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