NHL Trade Speculation: 1 Player Each Team Will Have to Deal at the Deadline

The NHL trading deadline is just a few weeks away and teams are getting close to making the decision to be buyers or sellers this season.

Each team has a player it would like to get rid of for reasons such as failing to perform up to expectations or salary cap issues.

Let's look at one player each team knows it has to deal before the trading deadline.

Anaheim Ducks: Bobby Ryan

Look, the Anaheim Ducks need a lot of help, especially in terms of scoring from every line except their first, and trading Bobby Ryan is one way to really improve the club with NHL talent and top prospects.

With few top-six forwards on the market right now, the Ducks could capitalize on having the best scorer to trade before the deadline.

Boston Bruins: Zach Hamill

Zach Hamill has been given plenty of chances to succeed at the NHL level this season, but the Boston Bruins have not liked his progress, so he was placed on waivers this week. He cleared waivers and is with the team's AHL squad in Providence.

He's not strong enough or skilled enough offensively to make a meaningful impact with the Bruins.

Buffalo Sabres: Ville Leino

Ville Leino signed a six-year, $27 million free-agent contract in the summer and has been a disaster for the Buffalo Sabres thus far.

If the team could find a contender willing to take on his contract, they'd make the deal in an instant, you'd think.

Looking back, this was probably the worst deal of free agency last summer.

Calgary Flames: Jay Bouwmeester

The Calgary Flames are contending right now, but if they fall out of the playoff race, expect Jay Bouwmeester to be a possible trade target for teams looking to acquire an offensive defenseman.

Carolina Hurricanes: Tuomo Ruutu

Tuomo Ruutu is the most talked-about trade target in the NHL right now because there aren't many top-six-caliber forwards on the market right now.

Ruutu is a physical player who can score, which makes him an attractive player to many playoff-bound teams.

Chicago Blackhawks: Niklas Hjalmarson

Niklas Hjalmarson's cap hit is around $3 million, which is not a huge hit, but the Chicago Blackhawks could spend that money on a defenseman who could be a bit more productive. Defensive help and goaltending are two areas the Blackhawks need to improve before the deadline.

Colorado Avalanche: Paul Stastny

If the Colorado Avalanche fall out of the playoff race, they have to trade center Paul Stastny to a team that will overpay to acquire him.

The Avalanche have several good young forwards to build around and need more salary cap space to improve their defense and goaltending situation. Stastny's big cap hit is not helping the team reach the next level.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Jeff Carter

The Columbus Blue Jackets spent money in the offseason to improve, but it simply hasn't worked out, and they must trade Jeff Carter to help move the franchise in the right direction.

The Blue Jackets could acquire proven NHL talent, first-round draft picks, top prospects or a combination of all three in return for Carter, who has great offensive talent.

Dallas Stars: Nicklas Grossman

If the Dallas Stars fall out of the playoff race, they must trade defenseman Nicklas Grossman, who would be a good addition to any contending team looking for bring in a physical defenseman for the playoffs.

With so few quality defenseman on the market, the Stars could certainly get a team to overpay for Grossman.

Detroit Red Wings: Ty Conklin

With Detroit Red Wings starting goaltender Jimmy Howard recovering from an injury, the Wings need to find a better backup so Howard isn't too fatigued when the playoffs arrive.

Ty Conklin has been a disaster this season in a backup role, and he should be moved or even waived when Howard returns and is healthy again.

Edmonton Oilers: Ales Hemsky

Ales Hemsky has been a disappointment this season for the Edmonton Oilers and as an upcoming free agent, it is unlikely he signs a new deal before the trade deadline or returns in the summer.

The Oilers should trade him and get something in return rather than risk losing him for nothing through free agency.

Florida Panthers: Scottie Upshall

Scottie Upshall was a terrible signing in the summer, and the Florida Panthers really overpaid for the average forward.

Upshall's $3.8 million cap hit has to leave Florida, and the team should do all it can to ensure it does.

Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Bernier

The Los Angeles Kings need another forward to make a deep run in the Western Conference playoffs this season, and trading backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier is one way to improve the team.

Bernier is a good young goalie who could start for many teams, and he's a valuable trade asset for the Kings.

Minnesota Wild: Marek Zidlicky

When a player makes it known publicly he's not happy with the team, there is little reason not to trade him, especially a guy like Marek Zidlicky, who isn't a top-tier player.

Montreal Canadiens: Hal Gill

Hal Gill will be a free agent at the end of the season and as a veteran defenseman with leadership skills and a physical style of play, many teams will covet him at the trade deadline.

Montreal would be wise to make a contender overpay to acquire Gill.

Nashville Predators: Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter won't sign an extension with the Nashville Predators before the trading deadline and could leave the team via free agency this summer, thus allowing the team to get nothing in return for him.

This risk is too great to take for the Predators, who cannot afford a setback like that at this stage in their development as a playoff-contending team.

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise

Zach Parise isn't likely to re-sign with the New Jersey Devils in the summer when they have financial problems and are years away from being a Stanley Cup contender again.

The Devils would get an enormous return for someone of Parise's caliber, and they must not risk losing him for nothing or they will be a bottom-feeding team in the Eastern Conference for years.

New York Islanders: Rick Dipietro

Rick Dipietro has been a disaster for the New York Islanders and is injured once again (to no one's surprise).

Unfortunately, I cannot see a team trading for a goaltender who can't stay healthy that has a massive contract.

New York Rangers: Brandon Dubinsky

Brandon Dubinsky has been a major disappointment this season, but the only problem with trading him is that his contract is not outrageous and the Rangers need depth at forward.

If Glen Sather could trade Dubinsky while upgrading the team's talent at forward, I think he would consider it.

Ottawa Senators: Alex Auld

The Ottawa Senators have a great shot to make the playoffs this season, but finding a better backup for Craig Anderson than Alex Auld is something the team needs to do before the trading deadline.

Philadelphia Flyers: James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk has a ton of talent and is only 22 years old, but if the Philadelphia Flyers can get a top-tier defenseman in exchange for him, like Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs, then general manager Paul Holmgren has to make that deal.

Phoenix Coyotes: Ray Whitney

Ray Whitney will not be traded if the Phoenix Coyotes are in the playoff race, which is smart, but if they fall out of the race, a contending team will covet Whitney as a top-six forward upgrade.

Whitney could net the Coyotes a nice return to continue to build a winner.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Zybnek Michalek

Zybnek Michalek's cap hit of $4 million is not matching his production, and if the Pittsburgh Penguins want to make another deep playoff run, they need to find an upgrade at defenseman.

San Jose Sharks: Antero Niittymaki

It's clear that the San Jose Sharks don't have a place for goaltender Antero Niittymaki in their future plans, and after he cleared waivers, the team now needs to trade him.

He could be a solid backup netminder on several teams.

St. Louis Blues: Chris Stewart

Trading Chris Stewart would be a risky move for the St. Louis Blues since they are one of the better teams in the Western Conference, but he is a restricted free agent in the summer and may leave the team.

As a physical power forward who's talented offensively, the Blues could get a nice return for Stewart via a trade.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Dominic Moore

Dominic Moore is a playoff veteran and can score goals, which is why he's been traded several times in his career and is often coveted at the deadline.

The Tampa Bay Lightning could fall out of the playoff race real soon, and if they do, trading Moore is a smart move.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri

Is it too early for the Toronto Maple Leafs to part with top prospect Nazem Kadri? Perhaps, but if general manager Brian Burke can acquire a star forward like Bobby Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf from the Anaheim Ducks, then Kadri should be expendable.

Vancouver Canucks: Roberto Luongo

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider should start in the playoffs, which would make high-priced goalie Roberto Luongo expendable.

Luongo cannot win big road games in the playoffs and should be traded to help the Canucks trade for an elite offensive player, preferably a power forward.

Washington Capitals: Alexander Semin

Alexander Semin has been a disappointment for the Washington Capitals this season and a change of scenery before he becomes a free agent in the summer would certainly benefit him.

He is still a 30-goal scorer with tremendous offensive talent.

Winnipeg Jets: Johnny Oduya

Johnny Oduya is a good player, but he has struggled at times this season, and his expiring contract has yet to be extended by the Winnipeg Jets.

The team would be better off trading him to a contender desperate for defensive help rather than re-signing him or letting him walk in free agency.