NHL Trade Rumors: Updating Latest Rumors for Every Team as Deadline Nears

If you thought the past few weeks of trade rumors were enough to make your head spin, you should probably disable connections to social networking outlets for this week as the NHL trade deadline is a mere seven days away.

With the deadline approaching, teams have already started making moves. Some teams will be buyers, others sellers and some will remain status quo at the spring trade bazaar.

Bleacher Report will be your one-stop shop for all rumors regarding each NHL team up and after the trade deadline. Click on for a report on the rumors surrounding your favorite team as the deadline approaches.

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have shocked the NHL as they have scraped and clawed their way back up the standings. They are still a long shot to make the playoffs but things are a lot more clear than they were a few short weeks ago.

The Ducks have no reason to sell or buy at the deadline because they likely can make a huge rebound toward a lengthy playoff run in the 2012-13 campaign.

TSN lists Lubomir Visnovsky as a piece of trade bait the Ducks could dangle. At age 35 and with a year remaining on his contract, a team could inquire about him for his offensive prowess. He may be slumping this year but he is a year removed from a 68-point outburst.

Boston Bruins

With both Nathan Horton and Rich Peverley sidelined, the Bruins should look to add a forward. They should have a good idea how much they can afford to add on for this year and the future as they have already started the process of trying to extend their impending free agents.

One player the Bruins could look to add is Ray Whitney as he would fill the role that Mark Recchi served for the team last year. James Murphy at ESPN Boston feels this could be a move the Bruins should consider.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are going to be sellers at the deadline. TSN lists them as a team with multiple players who could be shipped out at the deadline.

Both Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad are players that could be dealt to a team looking to add a first- or second-line center (Roy) and some bottom-six grit (Gaustad).

The Sabres are a team that really haven't benefited from their offseason acquisitions, so by dealing some of their valuable players they could look to shake things up.

Calgary Flames

The Flames are a team that are bouncing in and out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Weeks earlier the Flames reacquired forward Mike Cammalleri in a deal that sent Rene Bourque to Montreal, so it is unlikely that they make any major moves as the deadline approaches.

Carolina Hurricanes

Jim Rutherford was thought to be a selling GM at the deadline but things have changed over the past few weeks. Tuomo Ruutu was a player that was going to generate tons of interest but an upper body injury took him off the market.

The Hurricanes also re-signed Tim Gleason to a contract extension as he left the market. However, TSN still lists Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek as defensemen that could be used as trade bait as the deadline approaches.

Chicago Blackhawks

Bleacher Report's own Tab Bamford has a great trade tracker for all things regarding the Blackhawks.

Tab cites some rumors regarding the team and here is just a preview.

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On Thursday, Andy Strickland of TrueHockey.com said, "Sources close to [Buffalo goalie Ryan] Miller confirm his frustration with the Sabres organization and tell me he’d waive his modified no-trade clause to go to Chicago."

Even before the losing streak ended, Bowman told Chris Boden of CSN Chicago that the organization wasn't focused on acquiring a goalie before the deadline. Which, of course, was before Corey Crawford won three straight games and stopped 84 of 88 shots (.955 save percentage) against two very good teams in the Rangers and Blues. 

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For the full rundown, click Tab's name and it will redirect you to all the latest Hawks news.

Colorado Avalanche

With players like Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog, the future is bright, but the Avs need help now. They may not be major players at the deadline, but this is definitely an area they would like to improve upon and it likely will happen during the offseason.

Kevin Goff, an Avs featured columnist, offers a few reasons why the team will not make major moves at the deadline.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Rick Nash. Yes, it is two words but those two words are earth shattering. The power winger has hit the market but will he be traded?

He had a full no-movement clause so wherever he lands will be completely up to him. At this point it appears the Rangers and Kings are the front-runners but anything can change between now and next Monday's deadline.

There is a lot to say on Rick Nash, so the following links give a wide array of information regarding the deadline's top prize.

For the full scoop check out Rumor Central:

• TSN
• Ottawa Sun
• New York Post
• New York Daily News
• Columbus Dispatch
• Darren Dreger on Nash's NMC
• Bob McKenzie on Potential Suitors

Dallas Stars

The Stars appear to be sellers at the deadline but could be buyers in free agency. The franchise hasn't been linked to any marquee names but they made a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers this weekend when they shipped out Nicklas Grossman for a package of draft picks.

The Stars are led by a young forward group comprised of Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn, so their focus will be locking those young stars up for multiple years.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are consistently a well-built playoff contender. This year they are unbeatable at home so given the fact that they will likely maintain home ice throughout the playoffs, will they make a splash for a impending free agent?

Bleacher Report's Trent Reinsmith has a great Red Wings trade tracker and it contains the latest trade rumors.

One area Trent addresses is the possibility of Teemu Selanne becoming a Red Wing. Selanne would be a great addition to the team so it is an area to consider.

For the full breakdown, click here.

Edmonton Oilers

The future of the Oilers lies in the hands of young players like Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Sam Gagner.

While the Oilers could likely build upon this group by adding some pieces at the deadline, The Edmonton Journal insists that the team will likely avoid a shakeup at the deadline, quoting general manager Steve Tambellini.

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At no time are we going to be selling anything that is going to hurt our future, what we think is part of our core or something that is going to sustain good play for a long time. If it's something we feel will make us significantly better, long-term and short-term, of course we'll consider it.

But nothing for just a short-term gain.

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With that in mind it looks like all will be quiet in Edmonton at the deadline.

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Florida Panthers

The Panthers made a splash in free agency and added a lot of the players who are responsible for the team's current success.

The team will likely stay put at the deadline but will not be sellers by any means. Here is a quote from the Panthers GM Dave Tallon courtesy of the Sun Sentinel.

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We're not sellers. We got five games before the deadline, so we'll know better. We got a good team, so it's a matter of adding pieces. We're moving forward from here; we're not subtracting.'

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The Panthers are currently battling for the division title so I think they will remain as currently constructed.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings need scoring. They have left Jonathan Quick hanging out to dry in too many one-goal games. They are a team that has been linked to players like Rick Nash and Jeff Carter of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

ESPN's Pierre LeBrun had this to say:

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Interesting that the more you talk to teams around the league, the more you hear the name of Kings blueliner Jack Johnson being available if it means L.A. can seriously upgrade its offense via a first-line forward. 

Johnson is in the first season of a seven-year, $30.5 million contract. 

Young backup goalie Jonathan Bernier is another name out there. No surprise there given the Vezina-worthy emergence of Jonathan Quick. 

Both Johnson and Bernier, in my opinion, would be part of any deal involving Rick Nash. 

One NHL team executive wondered to ESPN.com this week if the Kings struck out on Nash whether Jackets teammate Jeff Carter would be the consolation prize. Perhaps. I believe the Jackets and Kings talked about Carter way before the Nash situation ever came into play this week. 

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Minnesota Wild

There aren't many rumors coming out of "The State of Hockey" and for good reason. The team was off to a great start and slowly fell out of the playoff picture. With Zach Parise set to become a free agent, every penny will likely be saved for him.

The Wild made a minor trade when they acquired Erik Christensen from the New York Rangers but other than that, the only player they could consider dealing involves Marek Zidlicky. He has already waived his NTC for a trade to New Jersey but that doesn't mean it will go down.

Montreal Canadiens

The Habs likely will be sellers at the deadline. They already shipped out Hal Gill for forward Blake Geoffrion so more moves could come out of Montreal.

TSN lists Andrei Kostitsyn as a player that Montreal could dangle to teams in search of a second-line winger. Kostitsyn is a player with limited playoff experience and is a free agent after the season so he would be an optimal rental acquisition.

Nashville Predators

Nashville is not going to trade any of their key players like Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. The acquisition of Hal Gill indicates that the Predators are stocking up for the postseason.

In order to add players on value, the Predators would likely have to part with some of their assets. While a deal is always possible, odds are the Predators are Stanley Cup or bust bound and would rather deal with their free agents in the offseason.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils have been linked to rumors with defenseman Marek Zidlicky as explained in the Minnesota Wild slide. Other than that there aren't many rumors circulating around the Garden State franchise. With Zach Parise set to hit the open market this July, the Devils' main focus will be keeping Parise in red and black for the future.

Bleacher Report's Alison Myers also offers this slideshow in regards to potential defensive additions the Devils could add at the deadline.

New York Islanders

The Islanders are a team that with a few more pieces could be a solid No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The team has some solid young parts but isn't built to go the distance.

The Islanders' top trade piece is P.A. Parenteau but the Isles likely will be hesitant to move him. Darren Dreger has reported that both sides will postpone contract negotiation until the offseason as Parenteau wants to focus on helping his team make the playoffs.

New York Rangers

The Rangers are very interested in Rick Nash. For my full take on the Rick Nash situation, click here.

Other than Nash, the only player that would make sense acquiring is Ray Whitney. While this is just my speculation, Whitney would address a lot of the Rangers' needs. He could easily hit 70 points or more at his age.

Whitney would add scoring, power-play experience and veteran leadership to a relatively young hockey club.

Whitney was a vital part of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 when they won the Stanley Cup, and he could have a similar impact for the Rangers.

Given the Rangers' current team makeup, adding a complementary piece like Whitney would not set back the youth movement and wouldn't jeopardize the future. 

Ottawa Senators

According to the Ottawa Sun, all eyes will be on GM Bryan Murray at the trade deadline. Here is an excerpt from the report which gives some insight into potential deals.

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All eyes are on Bryan Murray.

With just over a week to the Feb. 27 trade deadline, many are wondering if the Senators GM is going to pull the trigger or stand pat to see if this group can make the playoffs.

While Murray told the Sun last week he’d like to add a piece to help the Senators get to the post-season, he won’t so do at any cost. As we head into the final week of bidding, prices remain unreasonable.

“They’re still high,” said a league executive Saturday.

The Senators are interested—along with the Bruins, Rangers, Flyers, Hawks and Predators—in Carolina C Tuomo Ruutu, a pending unrestricted agent July 1, to add secondary scoring.

Talk he’s off the market is contrary to what a league executive told the Sun.

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For the full report, click the link above.

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Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers were rumored to be interested in Rick Nash but didn't like the rumored price. In addition the Flyers have already bulked up on the blue line by adding Nicklas Grossman from Dallas and Pavel Kubina from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Flyers could make more moves but as things currently stand, all is quiet in Philly.

Phoenix Coyotes

As of now, the Coyotes look to be a playoff contender come April. Therefore they would need to be blown away to deal leading scorer Ray Whitney. While teams like the Rangers, Bruins, and Sharks have shown interest, it is unlikely he will be dealt.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are a team that may look to add some additional firepower at the deadline. With Sidney Crosby's future in the air, any team-altering move would occur in the offseason.

A few weeks ago the Edmonton Journal listed the Penguins as a team that could show interest in Ales Hemsky but could that still be the case?

The Penguins extended James Neal's contract this weekend after being a great pickup last season. Could lightning strike twice is the Pens' attempt to acquire a struggling Hemsky?

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are a team that have been linked to former Shark Ray Whitney. The Sharks would love to add some more scoring but have a solid top-six forward group. Any major moves would involve dealing a key piece from that group so odds are they are minor players at the deadline.

The Sharks put Antero Niitymaki on waivers weeks ago and no team showed interest. With that said, it is unlikely that they find a suitor for him at the deadline.

The team already has added Dominic Moore for centre depth so odds are they won't make any major moves.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues are a team that has really been a turnaround surprise this season. Since Ken Hitchcock took over the team, the Blues went from zero to heroes in the Western Conference.

The team as constructed is defensively sound and has solid goaltending, and the team is unlikely to make moves at the deadline according to a local report.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Steve Yzerman shipped out Pavel Kubina and Dominic Moore for a package of draft picks. Could the team be sellers at the deadline?

If Yzerman is stockpiling draft picks he could be holding them to make a move at the deadline or could be saving them for the draft.

There is nothing clear but this is just some speculation on my part. With only four defenseman signed for next season and $17,928,084 in cap space, what are the odds of Tampa making a run at Ryan Suter or Shea Weber?

Tampa is an offensive powerhouse that needs to solidify its back end in order to make a successful playoff run. Finding a goaltender would also help. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Brian Burke met with Scott Howson in New York over the weekend. The Blue Jackets GM was in town for Columbus' game against New York and a meeting with Rangers GM Glen Sather, and Maple Leafs GM was in town shooting something for HBO.

When the word broke out, fans clamored over the possibility of adding Rick Nash. The odds of this occurring are slim to none due to the cost. 

Another trade scenario involves Mikhail Grabovski. The reported deal included a package and a prospect for the second line forward's services.

Darren Dreger tweeted:

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For those unable to see Insider Trading. Offer for Grabovski is for a 2nd rnd pick and prospect. Could get more. Still hope to re-sign him.

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Toronto is always a hotbed for rumors so follow the team closely up until the deadline.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks could look to move Mason Raymond at the deadline, according to a report from The Province.

It is likely that the team looks to add to their roster after falling short in the Stanley Cup Final last season.

The Vancouver Sun also mentioned a potential Rick Nash acquisition but at this point it appears to be a two-horse race between the Rangers and Kings. 

Washington Capitals

Mike Knuble is a veteran player who could generate some interest at the deadline but Capitals GM George McPhee put those rumors to rest.

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We haven't had any conversations. He's a great pro, a great guy. We have no interest in trading him. He hasn't asked for that.

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For the full story check out SB Nation's write-up here.

The Capitals are battling for a playoff spot so unless they make impending free agent Alex Semin available, the roster should remain as is.

The Capitals and Panthers are battling for the Southeast Division title, so it will be interesting to see how each team looks to bulk up for the postseason.

Winnipeg Jets

TSN lists Johnny Oduya as a potential trade bait target. He is a free agent at the year's end so he could be a solid pickup for a team seeking to bulk up on the backend.

It was rumored that Evander Kane was seeking a trade but he denied those rumors quickly. The Winnipeg Free Press was on hand when Kane remarked,

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No I have not (asked for a trade). I guess people on social media come up with rumours," said Kane, referring to the Twitter and blog talk that had him asking for a move.

Kane’s business manager Jeffrey Duppal tweeted to a media member on Wednesday to direct message him on Twitter and he would provide details on the subject. Kane couldn’t shed any light on that exchange.

I can’t speak for anybody but myself. The story started on some blog. I haven’t even read it. I don’t know what to think. I haven’t asked for a trade and I’m happy where I am and I expect to be here for a long time," said Kane.

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This is an interesting situation and one that could be monitored. Winnipeg is battling for the last playoff spot with a few points separating each team so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Jets attempt to add a minor player for the playoff push.

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Rumor Resources

In addition to Bleacher Report's NHL trade deadline coverage, the following websites and Twitter accounts are vital resources for all trade rumors information.

The Fourth Period
• TFP's Rumors
• TFP's List of No-Trade Clauses
• TFP's Trade Deadline 

TSN.ca
• TSN's Trade Centre 

Twitter Accounts to Follow
• Darren Dreger (TSN)
• Bob McKenzie (TSN)
• Kevin Allen (USA Today)
• James Duthie (TSN)
• Greg Wyshynski (Yahoo! Sports)
• Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
• Dave Pagnotta (TheFourthPeriod)

In addition, as the rumors roll in it is hard to constantly keep this slideshow up to date so you can follow me on Twitter. If there is a rumor I missed or one that pops up, leave a comment in the slideshow and I will update the information.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL trade deadline news, updates and alerts about players: