NHL Draft 2011: 5 Blockbuster Deals That Would Rock the NHL Draft

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With the 2011 NHL Draft just a few hours away, the trade rumors are flying and the names are getting bigger by the hour.

As we have seen over the last few days, teams are ready and willing to make blockbuster trades to make their team better, just ask the Philadelphia Flyers.

Big names like Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, Washington Capitals Alex Semin and Colorado Avalanche captain Paul Stastny might be on the move.

I didn’t think that there were going to be many outlandish trades, but I have come to expect that there will be at least three teams looking to make huge moves before, during and after the NHL draft.

This list is of the five wildest moves that could knock the NHL world out of orbit. Enjoy!

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5. Jaromir Jagr to Detroit Red Wings

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According to the Sporting News, the Detroit Red Wings are the favorites in the sweepstakes to bring veteran winger Jaromir Jagr back to the NHL.

The Red Wings have made their proposal to the 39-year-old former NHL-er, but there are still questions of how affective Jagr will be if he comes back.

Jagr spent the last three seasons in the Russian Konitnental Hockey League, but he has kept his offensive touch even at his advanced age.

Detroit is obviously looking to send veteran defender and captain Nicklas Lidstrom out on a good note, and Jagr will be a big part of another Stanley Cup run if they can sign him.

4. Paul Stastny to Pittsburgh Penguins

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According to the Denver Post, there may be chaos if the Edmonton Oilers don’t take Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at No. 1 in the 2011 NHL Draft.

The Colorado Avalanche pick at No. 2, and the they are aiming for right wing Gabriel Landeskog. That is unless Nugent-Hopkins is there at No. 2, and in that case, the Avalanche will take him.

If that scenario comes to fruition, it looks like the odd man out in Colorado will be captain Paul Stastny.

The rumors around the web are that the Pittsburgh Penguins have been in the Avalanche’s ear about making the move, but it all depends on the outcome of the No. 1 overall draft pick.

3. Zach Parise to Toronto Maple Leafs

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According to several sources, the Toronto Maple Leafs may be looking to trade some of their young players in return for New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise.

There have been rumors around the Maple Leafs since the draft came into view, but there are reports that their deals could make the Philadelphia Flyers deals look small.

Alex Mamalis of Bleacher Report has this scenario:

In terms of a trade, a baseline of a deal would look something like this:

Toronto: Zach Parise, perhaps some cap relief (like Brian Rolston or Dainus Zubrus)

New Jersey: Nazem Kadri, Clarke MacArthur, Carl Gunnarsson, 25th overall pick

I don’t know how this move would go over in Toronto, but I imagine they will be ecstatic to grab a forward like Parise.

2. Alex Semin to Anaheim Ducks

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According to reports from ESPN NHL Insider Craig Button, the Washington Capitals have been openly shopping both forward Alex Semin and defenseman Mike Green.

These reports of trade talks are stemming from the Capitals lack of playoff success this season and over the last few seasons.

Both Semin and Green have underperformed in the playoffs, and the biggest possibility of a move may be coming from the Anaheim Ducks.

Conflicting reports have different names in the mix, but the core of the trade has Washington moving Green and Semin to Anaheim for Francois Beauchemin and Bobby Ryan.

1. Steven Stamkos to Philadelphia Flyers

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According to Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News, even after all the craziness that went down for the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, it might not be over.

The Flyers may be talking internally about taking a shot at offering a sheet to restricted free agent Steven Stamkos.

Tampa Bay would have the right to match, but with all of the cap room found by the Mike Richards and Jeff Carter trades, this is not out of the realm of possibility.

This move is still very farfetched to say the least, but if Philadelphia taught us anything with their pre-draft moves, it’s to expect the unexpected.

For more 2011 NHL draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NHL mock drafts, NHL draft rumors, NHL draft results and draft grades.