NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Need to Get Busy Before Deadline

We're exactly ten days away from the NHL's trade deadline and the chatter is heating up.

The hot stove is simmering and teams are beginning their final pushes toward the playoffs.  Whether a team is a player away from potentially climbing to the top of its conference or a player away from squeaking into the playoffs, now is the time to make that deal.

The NHL seems more wide open this season than ever as all but three teams are within eleven teams of the eighth position in either conference.  There may be fewer sellers this year, so these should-be-buyers will have to act fast to get their guy.

5. Winnipeg Jets

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has already declared his team a buyer at this season's deadline so he wants to make a push now.  The young Jets are only four points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and will look to add someone who can help them score.

The Jets had scouts at the Blue Jackets game last night, so perhaps they could be a dark horse for forwards Rick Nash or Jeff Carter, but are not current frontrunners.  Either way, the Jets will need someone to make an impact on offense if they want to be playing playoff hockey in their inaugural season.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks topped the New York Rangers on Thursday night to avoid losing their tenth straight game, but the fact that they were even in that position is slightly alarming.

The Blackhawks have goaltending issues and have had trouble defending of late.  If they want to make another run at the Stanley Cup, they'll need an upgrade at goaltender or on defense.

There was talk of a possible trade of Patrick Kane for Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, but the substance behind that rumor is unclear.  Whether it is a goalie or defender, the Blackhawks need to get started soon if they want a difference-maker.

3. New York Rangers

The Rangers may look like they are in a comfortable position as they currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with 79 points, but they could use some help on offense.

For a first-place team, they should be ranked higher than 12th in goals per game and they can't rely on goaltending in every contest.

The Rangers have been linked to forwards Rick Nash and Ryan Smyth and either could provide some extra firepower to fuel the offensive attack.  The Rangers cannot remain complacent because there are some good teams in the Eastern Conference that could be very dangerous come playoff time.

2. Los Angeles Kings

Currently clinging to the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings are only a mere two points ahead of the ninth-placed Calgary Flames.  

The Kings have been mentioned as one of the frontrunners to land Blue Jackets star forward Rick Nash and they have the pieces to get a deal done.  Whether it means trading defenseman Jack Johnson or another piece, the Kings would love a player of Nash's caliber.

One thing is for sure.  The Kings need to get something done because they are way to close to falling out of playoff position.

1. Philadelphia Flyers

One point ahead of the surging New Jersey Devils for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, the Flyers have been sputtering a little of late.

The Flyers haven't had too much trouble scoring behind Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell, but their defense without Chris Pronger and erratic goaltending have causes for concern as they rank 22nd in scoring defense.

The Flyers will need to land a top defenseman at the deadline if they want to remain in the hunt and secure home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

They have been linked to defensemen Jack Johnson (Los Angeles Kings), Bryan Allen (Carolina Hurricanes) and the Luke Schenn (Toronto Maple Leafs).  The Flyers would need to give up a solid forward in return, but they seem desperate.

The Flyers desperately need to get a top-tier blueliner before the deadline and they cannot compete if that doesn't get done.