NHL Trade Scenarios: 12 Trades to Make Prior to the December Roster Freeze

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We are now into the final month of the year. That means that there are only about two weeks to get deals done before the holiday roster freeze. This year, general managers will have to sit in their hands from Dec. 19-27.

There are a number of names on the hot stove that would be welcomed by several suitors, if indeed they are actually on the market. 

Here are 12 potential trades that can't wait until after the holidays and need to happen now. 

Bobby Ryan Gets Traded for His Own Well Being

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Randy Carlyle met with Bobby Ryan earlier in the week concerning trade rumors and told him he "has to find that inner peace in himself to deal with it."

Ryan himself said of the trade rumors surrounding his name, "It's been a nightmare." 

Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray should do everyone a favor and trade the burdened star—it'd be the best for everyone involved. Not only would it clear Ryan's head, having Ryan in this current state certainly doesn't benefit the team right now either. 

Jeff Carter Finds His Way out of Columbus

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After signing an 11-year deal with the Flyers, Jeff Carter expected to be spending a long time in Philadelphia. That didn't happen, as he dealt to the Columbus Blue Jacket this past summer.

Things have gone awry in Columbus, to say the least. There have been rumors speculating that Carter wishes to be dealt. He would surely love to be spending his holidays somewhere else and the Blue Jackets obviously need to shake things up. 

Jarome Iginla Gets a Shot at a Stanley Cup

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Just about everyone around the NHL would agree that Jarome Iginla deserves a Stanley Cup, and he's not going to get that chance playing for the Calgary Flames. 

Instead of waiting until the deadline, the Flames should allow Iginla to get acclimated to a new team now so he can full speed down the stretch.

The Phoenix Coyotes Rid Themselves of Kyle Turris

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Let's be honest with ourselves—can the Phoenix Coyotes and Kyle Turris really sustain a solid working relationship after Turris essentially dragged the organization through the mud?

Great, Turris is signed—the 'Yotes should deal him now that they'll have extra negotiating leverage since he's under contract. A new beginning would be best for both parties. 

The Montreal Canadiens Dump Scott Gomez & His Salary

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Anybody? Anybody? Anybody?

As it appears right now, the Montreal Canadiens couldn't even trade Scott Gomez and his huge cap hit for a cheap six pack of beer.

If there is any trade possible involving Gomez, the Canadiens need to accept it. It'll be difficult to make any other moves with Gomez pressing them against the cap, so a deal needs to get down ASAP.

Rick Nash Finally Gets a Chance to Play with a Contender

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Surprise, surprise—another big-name Blue Jacket is on the trading block. The Jackets are going nowhere fast, but Rick Nash deserves an opportunity to play for a real competitor for the first time in his career.

There are a number of winning teams looking for a power forward with the skill set that Nash possesses, so it wouldn't be difficult to get a deal done that would be favorable for Columbus. 

Zach Parise Gets to Make Long-Term Plans

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After the offseason debacle between the New Jersey Devils and Zach Parise, it looks like a long-term deal between the two is fairly unlikely. The Devils had their chance to lockup one of the NHL's young stars and blew.

They should trade him now in order to get maximum value in return. The team that lands Parise will have to pay a hefty price to get him, so his new team will be looking to sign him to a long contract and not just acquire him as a rental. 

Alexander Semin Gets Moved as the Washington Capitals Reshape

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With Bruce Boudreau out and Dale Hunter in as the new head coach, the Washington Capitals are officially ushering in a new era of hockey.

With that being said, they should continue with the out with old, in with the new philosophy and finishes reshaping their team now instead of waiting to do so later on.

There have been rumors circulating that Alexander Semin may be out in D.C. While Semin is one of the best when he plays 100 percent, he seldomly puts forth the necessary effort. These are exactly the type of players the Caps need to rid themselves of if they ever hope to reach the Stanley Cup finals.

Kyle Okposo Gets a Fresh Start

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Kyle Okposo has been passed by many of the other young prospects on the New York Islanders depth chart. It appears he has lost his place within the organization so a fresh start would be the best scenario for Okposo at this point in his career.

There have been trade rumors circulating, but the Isles should cut ties with the forward now so both can begin to move in the right direction.

Tuukka Rask

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Tuukka Rask is in the final year of his contract and will likely be looking for a starting gig this summer after he hits free agency.

There are a number of teams that could use a goalie now. The Bruins should deal Rask and do it soon so they not only get some type of compensation, but also can get a piece to help them repeat as Stanley Cup champions. 

The Vancouver Canucks Trade a Goaltender

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Soon this soap opera needs to come to an end. At this point, the Vancouver Canucks need to decide who their goaltender of the future is and trade the other.

This way the Canucks can trade one of the two for a player who can help them win on a nightly basis. Additionally, the goalie who stays can finally settle in and not have to look over his shoulder every time he slips up. 

Whether it's Roberto Luongo or Cory Schneider, one of them must go.

The Ottawa Senators Begin Clearing House

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While the Ottawa Senators are currently in the play mix (come on it's only December, just about everyone's still in contention), don't expect them to stay there.

There have been a number of Sens linked to trade rumors including Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Sergei Gonchar. Now is the time to start overturning the roster. This way, the Sens can get maximum value in return and give some of their prospects a longer time to prove themselves instead of just two months at the end of the season.