NHL Trade Speculation: Top Rental Players and Who Might Pursue Them

Rental players are guys that a team will trade for at the deadline for the express purpose of a one-time run into the playoffs.

These players can fall into a couple of different categories.

They can be players who are nearing the end of their career but still have a lot of skill and are just looking to get a chance to win a championship—Ray Bourque, for example.

Others are guys that are due for a big pay raise and the team wants to get something for them rather than letting them walk away to free agency for nothing. Sometimes these players will end up signing contracts with the team that rents them.

The other is a guy that is definitely going to test the free-agent market and a team comes along with the right short-term price.

Whatever they are, here are some of the top rental guys that could be on the market for this season.

Zach Parise

Zach Parise wasn't able to work out a long-term deal with the New Jersey Devils at the start of the season and nothing has happened this season that would indicate anything different.

Parise is a very coveted player around the league yet it remains to be seen whether or not New Jersey is going to trade him.

The Devils are currently in the middle of a playoff race, and trading away one of their best players and their captain doesn't seem like it would necessarily help them all that much.

At the same time, if Parise is determined to test the free-agent market then it might be better for the Devils to get something for him rather than nothing.

Parise has ties to Minnesota, so it would make sense that the Wild would attempt to pursue him.

Alexander Semin

Alexander Semin has a ton of skill but just hasn't been able to become the dominant player that he has the potential to be in Washington.

Semin takes a lot of heat for this in Washington and seems to be the scapegoat for the team a decent amount of the time.

With Semin in the last year of his contract and his skill set still high, the Capitals could fetch a sweet price for him.

A team that could use a scoring winger is the Colorado Avalanche, though I don't believe the Avalanche would be willing to pay the price to bring Semin over. Nor do I think Semin would be a good fit in Colorado.

Detroit could be another landing spot for Semin, who would be surrounded by immense talent and would instantly be a better player simply because of the other players already there.

Semin would also provide more scoring depth for the Red Wings, as if they need much more assistance right now.

Shane Doan

Shane Doan would never ever ask for a trade; he is far too classy of an individual to do that.

At the same time, you have to know that Doan wants to get a shot at playing for the Stanley Cup—something that does not seem likely in Phoenix.

Not to mention with the team's seemingly imminent exit from Phoenix (though that's what we say every year, isn't it?) may send Doan out early.

Vancouver is a team that could use a guy of Doan's particular skill set. He would bring skill and grit to a team that really needs the grit.

Dustin Penner

Even though Dustin Penner has been a big flop in L.A., the guy is still a huge body that has a history of success in the league.

A change of scene could really help him turn back into the strong power forward that he was on the Edmonton Oilers.

Penner is 6'4" and 240 pounds is likely to draw interest from someone.

In fact, it seems as if the Toronto Maple Leafs may already have some interest in Penner.

Perhaps a move to Toronto would be just what the doctor ordered for Penner to turn his season around.

Ales Hemsky

Ales Hemsky has had a rough couple of years, having injuries cut short both of his last two seasons.

Hemsky seems to be feeling better and is looking for a longer-term contract that seems to be his ticket out of Edmonton.

Though he has been injured, Hemsky is a very good player that has a lot of skill and ability to still offer a team.

He's got OK size and can provide some secondary scoring for a team that needs it.

A team that relies a lot on group scoring from all their players and could use another guy that would work hard is the Nashville Predators.

Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter made headlines at the All-Star Game by saying that he wasn't going to sign a contract with the Nashville Predators before the trade deadline.

The Predators have been active already by acquiring veteran defender Hal Gill from the Montreal Canadiens last week.

This all but assures that one of the big defenders in Nashville is going to be heading out of town, and the more likely choice to send away would be Suter.

Suter could fetch a pretty price from many teams who need a solid shut-down defender.

A team like the Edmonton Oilers would do very well to pursue Suter.

Though their season has taken a turn for the worse, the Oilers are a team that will be in contention in the not too distant future, and a top level shut-down defender would help to get them there.

Filip Kuba

This one kind of surprised me, but it seems that some teams have been contacting the Ottawa Senators with interest in Filip Kuba.

Kuba is in the last year of his contract, but he has been fantastic for the Senators in their unlikely run to the playoffs this season.

Kuba has 21 points and is a plus-16. Couple that with his size and it's no wonder that people are interested in him—the surprise is that Ottawa would even listen to the offers!

If there's a team that could use another solid, big defender to help with a playoff run, I would say the Nashville Predators should show a lot of interest.

Especially if Ryan Suter is headed the other direction.

Ray Whitney

Ray Whitney is a savvy veteran that provides great scoring depth for his teams.

Whitney has done good things for the Coyotes since coming over to Phoenix a couple of years ago.

A team that might like some scoring depth as they look to run for the Stanley Cup is the New York Rangers.

I think the Rangers would love to add a guy with the savvy and experience of Whitney that can provide the scoring depth he does.

Teemu Selanne

One rumor that seems unlikely but is still one of those sexy rumors that keeps everybody talking is Teemu Selanne leaving Anaheim.

Selanne loves the Ducks and the Ducks love him, so it would seem unlikely that Teemu would head anywhere even if it means a chance at a Cup.

Still, the Stanley Cup can be an awfully enticing bit of loot.

The biggest rumor surrounding Selanne has him ending up in Detroit, which would definitely provide a possibility at the Stanley Cup this year.

Dwayne Roloson

Dwayne Roloson is having a rough year in Tampa Bay this year, but his ability and experience going deep into the playoffs might interest a contending team that needs depth in net.

The team that jumps to mind first is the Chicago Blackhawks, who have had goalie issues all year.

A change of scene and a team like Chicago might help Roloson find his form for one last run at the Cup before he retires.