NHL Trade Rumors: Ales Hemsky and Stars Teams Would Be Foolish to Acquire

While many NHL teams are looking to improve their rosters at the trading deadline, they must not overpay for talent just to make a short-term fix.

Acquiring an unrestricted free agent-to-be, like Edmonton Oilers winger Ales Hesmky, is a risky move since they could leave in the summer and leave you with a hole in your lineup.

Trading for these "rental" players has its benefits though, especially when injuries cause needs in certain parts of your lineup.

However, there are some players who just aren't worth the risk they come with, whether it be a history of injuries or a large salary cap hit.

Let's look at three stars that teams would be foolish to acquire before the February 27 trade deadline.

Jeff Carter, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets took Jeff Carter's contract off the Philadelphia Flyers' hands before last year's draft, and now they have realized it was a poor decision.

Even though Carter has really good goal-scoring talent, taking on his contract—which lasts for another 10 years with a $5.3 million salary cap hit—would be a foolish move for any team.

A team like the Los Angeles Kings that needs some more scoring and will look to acquire a top-six forward before the trade deadline could have interest in Carter, but burdening themselves with his contract would hurt their salary cap flexibility moving forward.

Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals

Alexander Semin is an unrestricted free agent who could add some scoring punch to a struggling offense, but he's not worth the trouble because he has underachieved this season and has looked disinterested at times for the Capitals.

The price to acquire Semin will be high since he's so skilled with his speed and accurate shooting. However, Semin has scored just 16 goals with 20 assists this year in 53 games.

Semin is a quality top-six forward, but to give up a significant prospect, a first-round pick and maybe more to acquire him is not worth it.

Teams interested in the Capitals winger would be better off waiting until the summer to sign Semin as a free agent when they won't have to part with assets for him.

Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers

Hemsky is a talented winger, but he's not worth the price that Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini will ask for him at the trading deadline.

He's only played in 44 games this year due to injuries, and has just 24 points overall with a horrendous plus-minus rating of -16.

Teams interested in Hemsky would likely be looking for him to score goals as a top-six forward, but he has found the back of the net only four times this season.

There is no reason to give up good prospects and/or draft picks for a rental player such as Hemsky.

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