NHL Trade Speculation: 14 Players in Contract Years Who Could Be Dealt

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadians at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Although we are quickly approaching the start of the 2011-12 National Hockey League season, some teams and players are already thinking ahead.

Going into any season, a hot topic is always players in the final year of their contract. A lot of these players likely likely will not be signing with their incumbent franchise for varying reasons.

Given that fact, soon-to-be free agents are also likely to be dealt by their current team at some point before the 2012 NHL trade deadline in order to recoup some value.

Here are 15 players in who could be dealt this season.

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadians at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

With the mismanagement of his contract situation, Zach Parise's days in New Jersey could be numbered.

If the two sides are unable to reach an agreement before the trade deadline, Parise could be part of a blockbuster deal. The Devils may decide to cut their losses and at least get some sort of compensation for the star American forward.

Washington Capitals: Alexander Semin

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 26, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Many people within the hockey industry feel that the Washington Capitals finally have the right roster makeup to finally reach the Stanley Cup finals.

However if the team isn't clicking on all cylinders, they make look to shake things up in order to find the right chemistry.

Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Penner

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 21: Dustin Penner #25 of the Los Angeles Kings skates with the puck during the preseason NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on September 21, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (P

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Dustin Penner may find himself on the move for the second straight season. The Los Angeles Kings have a lot of talented forwards so if Penner doesn't perform up to par, the Kings have the ability to ship him out for some prospects.

This will be even more likely if the Kings decide he won't fit into the long-term plans of the organization.

Philadelphia Flyers: Matt Carle

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Matt Carle #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

A lot has been made, with mixed reactions, about the aggressive offseason of the Philadelphia Flyers.

If the moves from this summer don't pan out, the Flyers may again be shuffling the lineup in order to return to the Stanley Cup finals. Matt Carle may be one of the players on the move given the flexibility of his contract situation.

Edmonton Oilers: Ales Hemsky

EDMONTON, CANADA - MARCH 17: Ales Hemsky #83 of the Edmonton Oilers during the game against the Phoenix Coyotes on March 17, 2011 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

Dale MacMillan/Getty Images

Ales Hemsky's name was mentioned during last season's trade deadline and it may come up again this season.

With a roster full of young prospects filled with potential, Hemsky may not fit into the future plans of the Oilers.

Nashville Predators: Ryan Suter

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: Ryan Suter #20 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Washington Capitals at the 1st Mariner Arena on September 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Predators defeated the Capitals 2-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

After a difficult offseason, the Nashville Predators are not expected to perform as well as last season.

That means more notable names may be on their way out. One of those includes defenseman Ryan Suter, who would definitely bring a lot back in return given the amount of upside he still has.

Nashville Predators: Pekka Rinne

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Washington Capitals at the 1st Mariner Arena on September 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Predators defeated the Capitals 2-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

It's not every year that a Vezina finalist finds his way on the trading block, but this season that could be a possibility.

If Pekka Rinne is made available, a trade involving him would surely be the biggest deadline deal.

Washington Capitals: Dennis Wideman

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Dennis Wideman #6 of the Washington Capitals passes the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Verizon Center on March 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals may shake things up if they are not clicking by the midway point of the season.

Another likely candidate to be moved would be Dennis Wideman. If the Capitals no longer wish to have his services, many other teams would like to have him.

Boston Bruins: Rich Peverley

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Rich Peverley #49 celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins de

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Boston Bruins should be in the mix again this season. Regardless of where they are in the standings, they've shown they are not afraid to make aggressive midseason moves to improve the team.

Last year, they pushed just the right buttons and won a Stanley Cup. They may again tinker with the roster to optimize their chances of winning.

New York Islanders: Al Montoya

UNIONDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Al Montoya #35 of the New York Islanders looks on during the pregame warm-up prior to the preseason game against the New Jersey Devils at Nassau Coliseum on September 24, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Christopher Pas

Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images

If there are teams looking for a backup goaltender or some depth at the position, Al Montoya could be an interesting choice.

The Islanders may have one too many goalies in their system so someone could be on the move. At $601,000, Montoya could easily be worked into a team's salary cap.

St. Louis Blues: Jason Arnott

WASHINGTON , DC - APRIL 23: Jason Arnott #44 of the Washington Capitals looks on during a face off against of the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on Apri

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

If the St. Louis Blues are out of the playoff picture, they'll be an interesting seller given the number of players they'd have available that could potentially help a team win a Stanley Cup.

The first of those players is Jason Arnott. Given his experience and leadership, he'd be an ideal midseason acquisition.