NHL Trade Speculation: Backup Goalies Who Could Hit the Open Market

The NHL trade deadline is only 42 days away, but moves are already being negotiated behind the scenes.

There are some teams that currently sit out of playoff contention that will be looking to upgrade their situation in net at the deadline. Trading for a starting goaltender is a tricky proposition, but attempting to acquire a backup goaltender is realistic.

Here are a few backup goalies that could be on the move.

Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild

Harding is a goaltender who is a unrestricted free agent at the season's end.

Minnesota's starting job is safe, as long as Nicklas Backstrom is a member of the Wild. And, if Harding were to be traded, Matt Hackett has proven that he can stand in as a backup. Harding has a record of 9-5-3 with a 2.28 goals against average so far.

A team like the Tampa Bay Lightning could likely inquire about his services.

The Lightning are a team with a lot of talent, but they have not had steady goaltending. Dwayne Roloson probably shouldn't have been re-signed by Tampa Bay, and Mathieu Garon has been average.

Adding a goaltender like Harding would buy the Bolts some time and would give them an opportunity to make the playoffs in the future.

Even if Tampa didn't decide to re-sign Harding, adding him to the roster shouldn't cost more than a minor roster player and draft pick. Harding is definitely going to draw interest this offseason, if not in the weeks leading up to the February deadline.

Cory Schneider, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have to make a tough decision.

Schneider has proven that he has what it takes to be an NHL goalie, and he has earned the trust of his teammates and bench boss Alain Vigneault.

However, an NHL franchise cannot have a $6-million backup on its payroll. I am not talking about Schneider; I am talking about Roberto Luongo.

Schneider is an restricted free agent this season, so he will not have as much freedom. If Luongo sustained a season-ending injury, Schneider could likely hold down the fort for the Canucks.

However, Schneider will be turning 26, and odds are he wants to be the man.

The Canucks then have two options.

The first would would be to keep Schneider and re-sign him. He will not cost a fortune—due to his free agent status—and the Canucks will get quite the bang for their buck.

If the Canucks kept him, they could look to trade Luongo in the offseason.

Luongo is a Jekyl-and-Hyde goaltender in many ways. He is half loved and half hated by the fans in Vancouver. He is lights out in the regular season but has had his lights punched out in the postseason.

With so many teams looking to replace or get serious in net, Luongo could draw a serious package in return. It comes down to choosing between one or the other.

Schneider is unlikely to sign a long-term deal to become a backup, as he will look to hit the open market when he is UFA-eligble.

No matter what goalie Vancouver sticks with, they will be able to flip the other for a nice return. It all comes down to who your willing to invest the future in.

If I was Vancouver, I would invest in Schneider. Expect Steve Yzerman to call up Mike Gillis as the deadline approaches—the Tampa Bay Lightning could use either of these men's services, as well.

Jonathan Bernier, Los Angeles Kings

Jonathan Quick is emerging as the top goaltender for Los Angeles this year.

It was not too long ago that the two "Jonathans" were swapping starts, but now Bernier appears to be odd man out.

Bernier carries a $1.25 million cap hit for the remainder of this season and the year after, and he will become an RFA. Bernier is a goalie that could draw interest from a team like the New Jersey Devils.

With Marty Brodeur nearing retirement and with bankruptcy looming, Bernier is a solid, low-risk goaltender. His RFA status should make it easier for the Devils to retain him at an affordable rate.

Bernier may not have the greatest numbers this season, but this entire team has had sub-par numbers.

Jhonas Enroth, Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have really fallen out of the playoff hunt in the recent weeks.

As Yahoo Sports pointed out in a recent article, the Sabres are 9-16-5 since the infamous incident involving Milan Lucic and Ryan Miller.

Picking up only 23 out of a possible 60 points is not the way to make the playoffs.

If the Sabres decided to make a shake up, it is unlikely that Ryan Miller would be moved.

Miller is a national icon, a crowd favorite and usually a consistent goaltender; Jhonas Enroth is young, affordable and has a short contract.

Enroth will become a RFA after next season and could draw some interest. He stepped in and played significantly well in Miller's absence. He was a virtual unknown last season but has slowly emerged.

Enroth is the most unlikely in the group to change teams, but he will certainly draw a lot of interest. Buffalo could always decide to invest their future in Enroth after his deal expires next year, so they may hold onto him while they still can.

Antero Niittymäki-San Jose Sharks

As one of my readers pointed out, I forgot to include Antero Niittymäki, a very talented goaltender who has yet to dress as a backup this season. Niittymäki suffered an injury that put him out of his backup role. He has since recovered but the tandem of Thomas Griess and Antti Niemi has been so solid that Niittymäki can't even crack the lineup.

If the Sharks look to deal Niittymäki, odds are that his former team the Tampa Bay Lightning will take an interest in him. Niittymäki went 21-18-5 during the 2009-10 season for Tampa. Regardless, Niittymäki as a 2006 silver medalist goaltender should draw interest from a few clubs. It would be fair to deal the veteran Niittymäki so he has an opportunity to play.

All of these goaltenders are going to draw an interest as the deadline approaches. While their value is high, their respective teams should keep an open mind when receiving offers. It is sometimes a gamble if the starter gets injured, but these backups should draw a nice ransom.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: