NHL Trade Scenarios: The Top Pie-in-the-Sky Trade Target for Each Team

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Many teams have already been very active in the offseason, whether its making trades or signing high-profile free agents.

Some teams haven't been quite so active yet but should expect to make a couple moves or signings before the end of the summer.

There are also tons of "out-there" trade scenarios or speculation on the Internet trade rumor mill. The vast majority, if not all of them, are unlikely to become reality, but as we saw with the Mike Richards trade, virtually nothing is impossible and no one's job is ever secure (except for Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and those with NTCs).

So to clarify once again before we get started, these are trades that the odds are will NOT happen. However, if they did, at least one team would be very pleased.

Without further ado, here are the players that each team would love to trade for, if dreams really can come true. 

Anaheim Ducks

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

The Anaheim Ducks have a good, all-around team. Their biggest need is their goaltender Jonas Hiller remaining healthy.

Other than that, they need third and fourth line forwards.

Boston Bruins

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

The Boston Bruins need a power play quarterback and a defenseman to replace Tomas Kaberle, since they didn't re-sign him.

One D-man who serves both those purposes is Washington Capitals' Mike Green.

He plays the position so well and is a top offensive producer too.

The Capitals are reportedly shopping Green, but as he's one of their top players, they'll probably elect to keep him. If not, they'll likely send him to the Western Conference.

Buffalo Sabres

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Buffalo Sabres have made some significant moves this offseason, most notably, signing defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to a long-term deal.

More moves are coming though, as they need to make some moves in order to have enough salary to cover their needs.

One rumor had Paul Stastny heading to Buffalo. Of course, the rumor went away once people thought about how unlikely that was to happen.

However, if the Sabres could get Stastny, they would.

Calgary Flames

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster has made it clear that the team will be active on the trade market before the end of the summer.

The team was close to signing Brad Richards, but in the end were beat out by the New York Rangers.

The Flames would love to trade for another player with star power, players like Steven Stamkos or Zach Parise.

Alas, that won't happen for the team.  

Carolina Hurricanes

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes hung on to Joni Pitkanen, which is good news for their blue line.

They could still use some defense though. One target could be Niklas Hjalmarsson of the Chicago Blackhawks.

It's unlikely that Chicago would even entertain offers for Hjalmarsson. However, if they did, the Hurricanes should jump at the opportunity.

After all, the Blackhawks need some cap space to sign their free agents, and the Hurricanes could use the young defenseman.

Chicago Blackhawks

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

The Chicago Blackhawks are in need of a center. They couldn't just go after a top free agent because of salary cap restraints.

However, they could trade for one.

A top choice for the Blackhawks could be Stephen Weiss. He's a young center who has garnered a lot of interest, despite playing for a poor team in Florida.

It's unlikely that they could make it work, but it could be good for the Hawks.

Colorado Avalanche

Rob Carr/Getty Images

The Colorado Avalanche shouldn't look to make any more moves at this point.

During the season, they acquired defenseman Erik Johnson. This summer, they acquired Semyon Varlamov from the Washington Capitals.

They've also made a few free agent signings to round it out.

They should stay quiet the rest of the summer now.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been very active over the summer.

First, they acquired Jeff Carter from the Philadelphia Flyers. Then, they acquired the rights to James Wisniewski and signed him to a deal.

All of their offseason signings will help them become a better team. They have helped their offense and defense tremendously with these moves.

Now, it's time for them to look at goaltending if they make any more moves. Steve Mason is good, but they could do better.

Dallas Stars

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Dallas Stars don't have a lot of money and that's why they couldn't hang on to Brad Richards.

They do need to find another top offensive producer to replace Richards.

It will be difficult for them to sign a good enough free agent given their financial situation, so they need to target a trade.

Detroit Red Wings

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

There have been a lot of Shea Weber-to-the-Wings rumors in the past few months.

It seems highly unlikely at this point, as the Detroit Red Wings have supplemented their blue line this offseason and the Nashville Predators filed for arbitration with Weber.

However, if Weber doesn't want to play in Nashville and intends to walk when he's a UFA, the Predators should look to trade him and cash in while they can.

The Wings might be willing to trade big for Weber because who wouldn't want to land Weber if they could?

Especially the Wings, knowing that Nicklas Lidstrom is nearing retirement. Weber could help stabilize their defense for years to come.

Edmonton Oilers

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Edmonton Oilers have taken steps to improve their team in the coming season.

They still need to improve goaltending though.

They should target Vancouver Canucks goaltending. The Canucks have two great goaltenders, but they haven't won a title with them yet.

There's been quite the speculation that one of them will be moved. Schneider seems the more likely candidate.

It probably won't happen, but Schneider sure would help the team out in goal.

Florida Panthers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The Florida Panthers needed to make a lot of moves to hit the salary cap ceiling for the 2011-12 season. And make a lot of moves they did.

The team has brought in: Scottie Upshall, Kris Versteeg, Ed Jovanovski, Brian Campbell, Tomas Fleischmann, Tomas Kopecky, Sean Bergenheim, Marcel Goc, Jose Theodore and Matt Bradley.

They really don't need to make any more moves. They already have an entirely new lineup for this coming season and they got top players like Jovanovski, who returns to South Florida.

Los Angeles Kings

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Kings didn't get Brad Richards, but they got another, younger Richards centerman: Mike Richards via trade with Philadelphia.

They also picked up Simon Gagne in free agency.

After that, the Kings are still reportedly looking for a winger and are looking at Ales Hemsky of the Edmonton Oilers.

Hemsky would fit great on a team with Anze Kopitar, Richards and Gagne. Except, the Oilers would probably like to hang on to him.

Minnesota Wild

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Minnesota Wild made two big trades that sent Brent Burns and Martin Havlat to the San Jose Sharks and received Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley in return.

They're probably not done making trades yet, as they need more defense and veteran defense at that.

One player that could help the team is Sergei Gonchar. He had great years in Pittsburgh and has declined, naturally, with the Ottawa Senators.

It's unlikely, but it could be good for the Wild.

Montreal Canadiens

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

For the offseason, the Montreal Canadiens would like to get rid of Scott Gomez' contract and get another defenseman.

The first probably won't happen but the second one could.

The Canadiens would love to pick up a player like Drew Doughty, who could be a part of their blue line for years to come.

Doughty will very likely be re-signing at some point in LA though, and the Kings wouldn't think of trading him.

Nashville Predators

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Nashville Predators have a solid blue line, but are in need of offensive help. They picked up Mike Fisher before the deadline this past season and they need to make another move.

They lost Joel Ward after a breakout postseason to the Washington Capitals in free agency. It's still up in the air how long they'll have Shea Weber, who while a defenseman, is one of their top producers.

One rumor going around is that the Capitals are shopping winger Alexander Semin, and the Preds are interested.

The Russian sniper could do great things for the team's offense.

New Jersey Devils

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

The New Jersey Devils are currently heading to salary arbitration and trying to sign Zach Parise.

They have salary constraints, after signing Ilya Kovalchuk in free agency last summer.

If the team is going to lose Parise, they need to trade him and get something in return for him. If not, they still need to move salary and get something high quality in return.

New York Islanders

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The New York Islanders are in need of defense. They thought they might have gotten it when they traded for Christian Ehrhoff's rights, but he didn't want to play there.

It will be difficult for the team to lure a top free agent to Long Island, so they'll have to trade for it.

Keith Yandle would be a great target for them.

Yandle just re-signed in Phoenix and the Coyotes said they hadn't even shopped him. That's what makes this trade unlikely.

But, if the Isles can make it happen, they'd be pretty happy.

New York Rangers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The New York Rangers accomplished their No. 1 priority this offseason when they signed Brad Richards.

Now they need to look into defense.

Any top defenseman that they can sign or trade for at this point would be helpful. They don't want to be in the position to trade for one at the trade deadline again, like they did for Bryan McCabe.

Ottawa Senators

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Ottawa Senators need to bring some youth into their lineup and trade for a young star. The team traded for Nikita Filatov who was supposed to be a top young star but has yet to reach his potential.

They need to trade for a more sure thing.

The ideal player at the top of their wish list would be Steven Stamkos, for obvious reasons.

It won't happen though because he'll most likely re-sign in Tampa.

Philadelphia Flyers

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

The Internet rumor mill has had Steven Stamkos going to the Philadelphia Flyers. Then, the Flyers wouldn't make an offer sheet.

Now, the rumors are back that send Stamkos to the City of Brotherly Love.

Except Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has said they're not true. Obviously, that's not a 100 percent believable statement, as he wouldn't announce it until it happens, but point taken. It's highly unlikely.

It would be fantastic for the Flyers though. If they had Stamkos and Jaromir Jagr, they'd be set and people would probably stop questioning their offense without Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

Phoenix Coyotes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Phoenix Coyotes lost both Ilya Bryzgalov and Ed Jovanovski to free agency (OK, they didn't lose Bryz, they traded his rights, but they were going to lose him so for all intents and purposes, they lost him).

They signed Mike Smith for goaltending and re-signed Keith Yandle, but they could still improve both of those facets of their team.

It's difficult for them though, since they still have a lot of external financing.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins have two of the best young forwards and a great core team.

There's not a lot of room for large moves in Shero-land, unless they trade away some of their core salary (aka Malkin or Staal), but that seems too unlikely to even speculate at this point.

All they need, is a healthy Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin again in the fall and a consistent Marc-Andre Fleury, and they're set again.

San Jose Sharks

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The San Jose Sharks have already made two big trades with the Minnesota Wild, moving Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley for Brent Burns and Martin Havlat.

Now, the rumor is that they're targeting Alexander Semin of the Washington Capitals.

The Caps need to dump some salary to sign two RFAs and Semin is a top candidate. There's considerable interest in him, so the competition is fierce for San Jose.

Plus, the Capitals may decide to trade away another player instead.

St. Louis Blues

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Last year at this time of year, the St. Louis Blues traded for Jaroslav Halak, a trade that surprised many people.

They haven't made waves like that this offseason, but there's still time for them to make moves.

The Blues could use a backup goalie or some offensive help.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

A poster on the Toronto Maple Leafs fan board posted this trade "rumor."

To Tampa: Evgeni Malkin

To Toronto: Steven Stamkos

To Pittsburgh: Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, Stuart Percy and conditional draft pick

While it is an interesting idea and could be good for Tampa and Toronto, it won't happen because the chances of Stamkos and Malkin being moved are already slim, never mind a trade that moves them both.

However, if the Lightning are going to lose Stamkos, getting Malkin in return would be a great deal.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost out on Brad Richards, but if they could get Steven Stamkos, they'd be happy with that.

The trade scenario from the previous slide would be great for Toronto, as they would get Stamkos.

It seems like a far-fetched trade that Brian Burke might be capable of pulling off, but it's a little too far-fetched.

Vancouver Canucks

Harry How/Getty Images

The Vancouver Canucks have one of the best all-around teams in the league. Their past two seasons have been ended by the team that went on to win the Cup and the only reason they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals this year was because Tim Thomas was unstoppable (or more accurately, he made everyone else stoppable).

So, the team doesn't need to make any moves to bring in another top player because they already have the Sedin twins, Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa and Roberto Luongo.

They're set at every position.  

Washington Capitals

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals have just over $500,000 left to spend on Troy Brouwer and Karl Alzner.

They need to shed some salary to sign those two players, as well as potentially sign another free agent.

The top choices to trade would be Alexander Semin or Mike Green, with the Semin the likelier candidate. One interesting trade scenario sends Semin to Winnipeg for Zach Bogosian.

Bogosian might fit in well on the Caps young team and help on defense.

Winnipeg Jets

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Winnipeg Jets are seeking a top forward or defenseman to add to their growing roster and new team in Manitoba.

Supposedly, they are another team that is very interested in Alexander Semin of the Washington Capitals.

They'll have to get in line. Plus, it would be difficult to pull off since, even though they'll eventually be in the Western Conference, they're currently still division rivals of the Caps.

Making it hard to get a trade done.