NHL Trade Speculation: 10 Big-Time Players Who Will Be Deadline Trade Bait

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There is always speculation about big-name players moving at a trade deadline, but after a summer that saw a number of "unmovable" players (like Brian Campbell, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards) finding new homes, it's more believable that some major movement could take place.

And there are some superstars that might be on the move.

Not mentioned in this slideshow are some free-agents-to-be (like Mike Green) who could enter the rumor mill at some point but who aren't likely to go anywhere. But the names that do follow are a few guys that very well could find a new sweater in their locker at some point before March.

Chris Stewart

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The Blues made a coaching change on Sunday and clearly aren't thrilled with how the season has started on the ice.

With Ken Hitchcock behind the bench now, new ownership may give management the green light to move players that don't buy into the new coach's style/philosophy.

Stewart was good after the deal bringing him to St. Louis last year, but he has been a disappointment to begin this season.

With restricted free agency pending this summer, he might have to earn a spot in St. Louis again.

 

Odds of being dealt: 30 percent

Potential Suitors: Panthers, Stars, any fringe Eastern Conference playoff team

Sam Gagner

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Gagner has been in trade rumors for a while, but Edmonton is playing so well right now they'll probably stay put for the time being.

However, if the wheels fall off at some point, moving Gagner (who needs a new deal this summer) might make sense.

More importantly, if he became available, the potential return could be too much for a young team to ignore.

 

Odds of being dealt: 45 percent

Potential Suitors: Pens, Bruins, Blackhawks

Jonathan Bernier

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With Jonathan Quick seeming to have locked up the top goalie spot in LA, Bernier is the popular name for people looking to add a netminder.

The trouble is he's got another year left on his deal, and the Kings have employed the two-goalie system well for the last couple seasons.

Dustin Penner's probably the player they would rather move at this point, but the offers for Bernier won't stop.

 

Odds of being dealt: 15 percent

Potential Suitors: Panthers, Leafs

Alexander Semin

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Will Semin ever not be in trade rumors?

Now that he's staring at free agency this summer, the Caps might be more open to offers at the deadline.

One would have to think any deal would have to be loaded for the Caps to move one of their better offensive players, but the reality that Mike Green also needs a new deal this summer might be enough to move Semin.

 

Odds of being dealt: 25 percent

Potential Suitors: Any Western Conference team willing to overspend for scoring

Shane Doan

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Doan has been so good to the Phoenix organization, it's hard to imagine them moving him.

But their inability to secure ownership and desperate need to begin a rebuild might make him the most likely stud to go at the deadline.

 

Odds of being dealt: 55 percent

Potential Suitors: Any team willing to part ways with two or more picks/prospects

Cory Schneider

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They are paying Roberto Luongo for most of the next decade and don't have a ton of cap space to work with moving forward.

Schneider's restricted, but the more he plays this season, the more he'll cost if/when a third party hands him a dollar figure this summer. Vancouver might be wise to move him.

 

Odds of being dealt: 20 percent

Potential suitors: Panthers, Leafs, Lightning

Zach Parise

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The common trend among many of these trade candidates—free agency coming up soon on teams without a lot of cap space.

Parise is popular in Jersey and is an elite player, so whether or not he's moved will likely depend on the organization's perception of their chances of keeping him this summer.

 

Odds of being dealt: 35 percent

Potential Suitors: Ducks, Kings, Blackhawks

Ryan Suter

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Now that Pekka Rinne got paid, the rumors will begin regarding the next step for the Preds.

With two potentially expensive defensemen needing a new deal, everyone wants to believe one of them will be dealt.

The reality is that a trade during the summer is most likely, but Suter will get a lot of attention.

 

Odds of being dealt: 20 percent

Potential suitors: Red Wings, Pens, Caps

Shea Weber

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It would take a king's ransom to get Weber out of Nashville, but someone might be willing to pay that if he actually became available.

Looking forward to next year, there are a few teams with massive amounts of cap space—especially Detroit—that could throw an enormous offer sheet at Weber this summer if Nashville doesn't lock him up.

That could make their decision even harder—the package they would receive for a cap number around $8 million could be too much to turn down.

 

Odds of being dealt: 10 percent

Potential Suitors: Red Wings, Caps

Rick Nash

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Things were supposed to get better in Columbus—right?

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise if Nash asked for his relationship with the Jackets to end, but he's been a stand-up captain for long enough that it isn't likely that he'll go public with any trade requests.

With a few years left on his deal, if Nash was available, he would likely become the top target on the market.

 

Odds of being dealt: 27.5 percent

Potential Suitors: ???