NHL Trade Rumors: 7 Players Who Will Be Moved by Deadline

The NHL has received a lot of attention lately regarding many trade rumors.  With the trade deadline five days away and teams already making moves, the NHL is sure to see familiar faces in new sweaters.

The East and West have had tight playoff races the entire season and with the regular season coming to a close with about 20 games remaining, many teams will try to stock up before the postseason.

Some teams are in need of scorers, some are looking for blue-liners and some are interested in goalies.  With February 27 around the corner, this should be a hectic week for hockey fans.

Here is a list of seven NHL players who will be moved by the trade deadline. 

Filip Kuba

Filip Kuba is a 35-year-old defenseman for the Ottawa Senators.  With 12 years of experience, Kuba has had an average year thus far.

Kuba has provided 22 points for the Senators this season including five goals and 17 assists.

The Senators GM Bryan Murray has stated he would not trade the veteran defenseman unless there was a fabulous offer on the table.  Murray likes that Kuba is paired with one of the Senators' young defenseman Erik Karlsson, and says that Kuba is a viable asset.

However, the owner of the Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melnyk, suggested to a local radio show that offloading expensive veteran skaters for younger players is a possibility.

Kuba is earning $3.7 million this season and fits the criteria of an expensive veteran player.

Mike Ribeiro

Mike Ribeiro has been a solid center for the Dallas Stars this season.  Ribeiro has contributed with 42 points; 29 have been assists, 13 have been put in the back of the net.

The Stars are listening to possible trade offers for Ribeiro in order to stay above the cap floor.  The Stars have already received calls regarding Ribeiro and the experienced center can fit well with the Boston Bruins or St. Louis Blues.

It should be an interesting week for both the Stars and Ribeiro.

Steve Ott

Steve Ott is another Dallas Star that could be traded before the deadline.  This season, Ott has 29 points, with 18 assists and nine goals.

Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has expressed interest in listening to trade offers for Ott.  

Ott could fit well with the Vancouver Canucks or Detroit Red Wings as a scrappy player. Look for the Stars to make multiple moves before the deadline. 

Mikhail Grabovski

Mikhail Grabovski has put together a 40-point season thus far.  Grabovski has 22 assists and 18 goals for the Maple Leafs.

In current negotiations for a new contract, Grabovski's asking price is $5.4 million per year, which according to Toronto, is too high for their liking.

The Leafs in return would like roster players who would be an asset to the team.  Other than immediate contribution from opposing team's offers, the Leafs say if the deal is constructed around picks and prospects, it will have to certainly stand out to them.

The possibility of bringing Rick Nash into Toronto will also play a role.  If Grabovski and his agent won't go down on their asking price, the Leafs won't pay Grabovski over $5 million with Nash's contract underway.

Wojtek Wolski

After being injured for 31 games this season, Wojtek Wolski has recently been called back up after playing for the AHL's Connecticut Whale as a recovery project.

If Wolski is fully healthy, the Rangers could see offers put on the table and with $3.8 million in cap space able to be freed, the Rangers wouldn't hesitate.

Wolski is another name that might be in a new sweater come February 27.

Kyle Wellwood

The Calgary Flames have listed multiple targets, and Kyle Wellwood is one of them.

On the season, Wellwood has 36 points, including 24 assists and 12 goals.  With Wellwood's experience and a solid year with the Jets, the Flames could use his help at the center position.

Wellwood is currently making $700,000 and would be considered a low-risk move for the Flames.  The tough part would be prying Wellwood away from a team currently in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Rick Nash

Rick Nash has been the main point of any conversation regarding the trade deadline.

The star right-winger of the deplorable Columbus Blue Jackets currently has 20 goals and 22 assists on the season.

The Blue Jackets' captain has received attention from the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs and now the San Jose Sharks.

Considered to have good chemistry with Shark's center Joe Thornton, Nash could fit well in the Sharks' system.

No matter where Nash ends up, his eight years of experience will help contribute to any team and he will certainly be the biggest headline in this year's trade deadline.