NHL Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Mutually Beneficial Trades

The offseason is always an exciting time to be a hockey fan. With the draft and free agency, teams can take on a whole new look overnight.

This past offseason the draft wasn't shaping up to be all that interesting at first, but with some surprising signings, and some LeBron James-like antics from Ilya Kovalchuk it has shaped up to be a very interesting offseason.

Trades are always interesting, but sometimes they are very one sided. Some GMs may know at first and some get hosed, but sometimes a trade can help both teams a great deal.

The following article outlines 10 potential trades that could benefit both teams. Take note that the players predicted have been rumoured to be available, but the return and team is pure speculation

Jason Spezza to Edmonton

The trade rumours about Spezza have died down now that Spezza's no-trade clause is now in effect, but that doesn't mean a deal can't still be done, and Edmonton is a likely trading partner.

Last year the Sens and Oilers had a deal done that would see disgruntled winger Dany Heatley shipped to Edmonton in exchange for Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano, and Ladislav Smid.

This season it was Jason Spezza's turn on the trading block, and this same deal could work for both teams. The Oilers would be getting a very skilled centre that could put together a very dynamic line with Hemsky and Hall.

Ottawa would be getting a power forward that had a breakout season with the Oilers last year, along with a very speedy centre, and a solid player on the back end.

This trade could work out well for both teams, as Spezza is that dynamic centre the Oilers are lacking, and Ottawa can fill holes here and there without losing much offensive production.

Marc Savard to Toronto

The Marc Savard rumours have been running rampant, and most of them surround the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite the fact that shipping Savard to Toronto would make them a better team and they still hold on to their first rounder next year.

A likely trade between the two would involve Savard going to the Leafs in exchange for Tomas Kaberle and picks. Savard and Kaberle have similar cap hits and they both address team needs.

Boston could use to shed a centre so that Bergeron and Seguin can play a prominent role, and a steady puck mover on the back end is definitely in need.

For Toronto they desperately need a skilled centre to play with Phil Kessel. While Bozak did an admirable job for the better part of last season, he doesn't quite cut it yet. And what better way to replace him than Kessel's former teammate? Savard and PK have good chemistry together and a reunion could be a good thing for both parties.

This could be a good trade for both teams.

Simon Gagne to Los Angeles

Philly is looking to shed some salary, and the two biggest chips on the table are Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne. With Gagne waiving his no-trade clause, it seems like he is the best candidate to go.

Los Angeles has a ton of cap space, and may be looking to make a splash if Kovalchuk does not sign. Thus a trade to replace skilled winger Alexander Frolov with Gagne may work out well.

A trade with the likes of Gagne for Simmonds could work for both teams. While it may not be likely that Los Angeles would let go of Simmonds, the thought of bringing in Gagne may entice them to do so.

Philly sheds cap, and Los Angeles gains skill, while still managing to stay $10 million under the cap, allowing them to pick up a replacement for Simmonds or bring in more skilled defence.

Stephen Weiss to Calgary

Stephen Weiss' name has been thrown around in trade talks. A letter from Florida owners issued last season, saying a transformation of the team was coming fueled a lot of those rumours.

Trading Weiss would weaken the Calgary offence, but Florida needs a lot of retooling yet to be a contender. A very solid draft this year is a big help, but more has to be done.

Thus a trade with Calgary that would send Weiss out West for Regher and Mikael Backlund could work very well for both teams.

New Florida general manager Dale Tallon likes to build around a solid defence, and adding Regher to the likes of Kulikov, Gudbranson and Wideman is a good start.

Mikael Backlund has potential to be a solid centre, and could help fill in offence that would be missed.

Calgary coupled with another potential trade to rid of Langkow or moving one of Jokinen or Stajan to the wing would allow Weiss to get a prominent role on a team in desperate need of offence.

Patrick Sharp to Phoenix

Even though the Hawks have shed so many players from their cup winning team, they are still pressed up against it, and only have nine forwards, five defencemen and one goalie under contract. Thus some shedding will still need to be done, and one likely player is going to be Patrick Sharp.

Sharp has done a world of good for the franchise after being picked up from the Flyers, which recently culminated in a career high 66-point season, but unfortunately for the Hawks and Sharp, unless Chicago can dump Huet or Campbell, he is likely on his way out.

A likely trading partner would be the Phoenix Coyotes. The return would likely not render a roster player yet, but the move would just be a salary dump for Chicago.

For the Coytotes they get a skilled centre, who can play at a high level, and can also allow Doan to move back to his natural wing. Phoenix is very short on quality centres.

Although Chicago is losing, it is the best possible move it could make if it deals Sharp.

Alexander Semin to Minnesota

Semin is probably unlikely to move anywhere, but his name has popped up from time to time, and it would seem a waste not to mention a trade possibility that could work quite well for Washington and Minnesota.

The Minnesota Wild would get Semin in exchange for Brent Burns and Anttie Miettinen.

Minnesota gets a pure goal scorer, and a real punch of offence that they just don't have in the lineup right now.

For Washington, it acquires a player that really addresses its key weakness. Washington's defence is not strong, but a Brent Burns, Mike Green pairing would be lethal. In addition to Burns, the Wild would be getting a solid winger, that puts up solid second line points.

Tim Thomas to San Jose

If the San Jose Sharks plan to stick with Antero Niittymaki as their starter, they could likely find themselves in hot water. Not to take anything away from Niittymaki, but he may need some help in net.

The best goalie on the market right now would have to be Tim Thomas. The former Vezina winner would be a perfect fit for San Jose, as he has shown time and time again that he is one good goalie.

A likely return would be Thomas Greiss and Niclas Wallin.

This way Boston frees up some space, and it allows Tuukka Rask to take the starting reigns. For San Jose, it gets a qualified starter, and some stability in net.

Minor deals

The Ottawa Senators are likely looking to move Filip Kuba out of town, any return would only involve picks coming Ottawa's way. Dallas and Anaheim seem like potential fits for Kuba.

Cody Hodgson and the Vancouver Canucks, it seems, have not gotten along well over the past couple of seasons. Canucks fan would probably be irate, but moving Hodgson out of town is not totally out of the question.

If the Flames fail to move Regher and free up cap space, Sarich or Langkow will likely find new homes. As it stands the Flames are above the cap and need to make a move.