NHL Trade Speculation: One Trade Each Fanbase Would Like to See Happen

With the NHL trade deadline next Monday, each fanbase is likely clamoring for a trade to happen—but what player would each fanbase love to acquire or ship out of town?

Many trades have already been completed, but if each team had a choice, who would they trade out of town or who would they love to acquire?

Some of these scenarios feature players not on the market, but rather players that the fans would love to see acquired at the deadline.

Other scenarios will be general in the sense that an area is selected for the team to improve upon.

Anaheim Ducks

The team really isn't going to be a player at the trade deadline, but the fans would love to see the Ducks hold onto their stars.

It was speculated earlier in the year that the team would be sellers at the deadline, but the Ducks are going to fight for the playoffs with less than 30 games to go.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins would love to acquire a player like Rick Nash. Nash is a power forward who could really help the roster. With injuries to Rich Peverley and Nathan Horton, adding a forward would be wise for the long stretch run in the playoffs.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres would love to add a player like Bobby Ryan. He is a young scoring winger who would really bolster the Sabres offense.

This year the Sabres will not likely make the playoffs, so adding another scorer may be a priority in the offseason. If Bobby Ryan hit the market, the Sabres likely would be a huge contender in the waiting line.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are battling to hold onto a playoff spot. The bottom tier of the Western Conference has appeared to be quite the dog fight thus far.

If the Flames could see a trade go down, they would love to see the team add some additional scoring. Rick Nash is a player who could really compliment what Calgary already has going on, and he would add some scoring firepower.

Carolina Hurricanes

According to The Fourth Period, Bobby Ryan is a player the Hurricanes would love to acquire. I don't blame them, because Ryan is exactly the perfect young player to be injected into Carolina's lineup. The team has skilled centers in Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner, so adding a power winger like Ryan would really help the team.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are terrible when they are shorthanded.

They rank 26th in the league in penalty-kill efficiency. In the playoffs, special teams are so vital to success. If the Blackhawks improve this area, they can only improve their Stanley Cup chances. The team has a capable offense, but it will be all for naught if they give up leads while shorthanded.

A two-way player like Frans Nielsen would really be a great pickup for Chicago if he were available. 

Colorado Avalanche

The Avs are 24th overall in goals per game in the NHL. This number is pretty low, and it's an area that they would like to improve upon.

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.

If the Avs could add a player, it would be a guy like Derek Roy. Roy would be a great secondary player to add at a low cost, and he could compliment some of the younger forwards. It sounds crazy because he is having a down year, but Roy, when on his game, is a consistent performer.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Steve Mason is clearly not the answer in Columbus. If the Blue Jackets want to become a serious team, they need some stability in net. The Blue Jackets are currently considered the front-runner to finish with the worst record. 

With their lottery pick, they will likely draft Nail Yakupov. It doesn't matter how much offense the Jackets bring in if they continue to let in a lot of goals every night. 

With the Blue Jackets dangling Rick Nash, odds are they will look to add a goaltender in the offseason.

Dallas Stars

General manager Joe Nieuwendyk did an amazing job riding the storm of uncertainty when the Dallas Stars were looking for an owner. The Stars have had great production from Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson thus far, and the best thing the Stars can do is wait until free agency.

With a new owner in Tom Gaglardi, the Stars would be better off making a splash in free agency than trading pieces away at the deadline.

If the Stars wanted to make a low-risk trade, Ales Hemsky would be a case worth investigating.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are one of the top teams in the NHL and Western Conference, and are a team that never stops improving.

If the Wings look to continue this trend, they could look to add another top-six scorer.

While fans would probably clamor at the chance to add a player like Alex Semin, a logical inquiry would probably be a player like Ales Hemsky of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Wings could also choose to abstain from deadline dealing, and Ken Holland would still have a solid playoff squad at his disposal. 

Edmonton Oilers

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

The Oilers are going to have to focus on re-signing these players, so it wouldn't be logical to add any additional salary. However, in this scenario, a player like Cory Schneider would be a perfect fit. While Nikolai Khabibulin may have been great for the majority of this season, the Oilers need a top goaltender for the future.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are in first place in the Southeast Division. Let me say that again: The Panthers are the current leader in the Southeast Division. Are you surprised? I surely am.

The Panthers made a lot of noise in the offseason when Dale Tallon acquired a lot of his old Blackhawk soldiers.

The Panthers have had huge contributions from Kris Versteeg and Brian Campbell, so the chances of them making a trade are slim. Any area they would look to improve could cost them some valuable pieces.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings want Rick Nash. Dean Lombardi needs Rick Nash. If the Los Angeles Kings fail to make the playoffs, odds are that Lombardi does not return as GM. However, at this point, it appears the San Jose Sharks are stepping up and may knock the Kings out of the Nash sweepstakes. 

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild were once the top team in the NHL, but in the blink of an eye, they dropped down the charts. The Wild already have a good group of players like Dany Heatley, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Mikko Koivu on the roster.

They have a good shot at making the playoffs, but odds are they will make their splash during the free-agency period.

They would love to add a player like Zach Parise, but they may have to wait until July to attempt a move like that.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens have one of the worst power plays in the NHL. This is an area that can only improve, because it can't get any worse.

If Randy Cunneyworth has taken the time to improve his French, the least Pierre Gauthier can do is acquire him some offensive firepower for the power play.

The relationship between coach and general manager appears to be give and take, so adding some offensive power for the man advantage is a very reasonable demand.

If the Canadiens added a player like Jeff Carter, he could add to the team's overall scoring and power play.

Nashville Predators

The Predators have been given the green light to spend up to the cap limit, so look out. With stability in net and on the blue line, the Predators could really emerge as a dominate force if they added a top scoring threat. If the Predators make a splash, adding Zach Parise would be a great pickup.

I feel the Predators are one top scorer away from being a viable Stanley Cup contender.

New Jersey Devils

The future of the Devils franchise is in the hands of Zach Parise. If he were to depart from the Garden State, things would not look good for New Jersey. They should do everything in their power to retain the star forward.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur is showing his age and will likely retire this year or next year.

Johan Hedburg is also a free agent, and without any significant goaltending prospects in the system, the Devils will seek to acquire a netminder.

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders could improve a lot on their team, but defense is an area that could use some work. The Islanders rank 22nd overall in goals allowed per game.

Outside of Mark Streit, the Isles don't have many big-name defensemen.

If the Islanders could tighten things up defensively, they could improve their playoff chances for the future.

The Islanders would love the chance at acquiring a player like Shea Weber or Ryan Suter, but it is unlikely to happen.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are the best team in the NHL when it comes to winning percentage, and the main reason for that is because of their defense and all-world goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. This is how the Rangers' top six looks.

Anismov-Stepan-Gaborik

Hagelin-Richards-Callahan

The Rangers definitely could improve their second-line, left-wing spot. Brandon Dubinsky doesn't really complement Brad Richards and his playmaking ability.

Targets to fit the needs for the Rangers could include Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan.

The Rangers are in talks to acquire Rick Nash, so it should be interesting to see what happens before Monday.

Ottawa Senators

I am certain that not many people thought the Senators would rebound as much as they have this season. Last year, the Senators had a bad season that landed them the seventh overall pick in the NHL entry draft.

This year, things seem to be clicking for Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson. Are there areas the Senators could improve upon? Yes, but odds are the only move they could make would be to add another scorer.

Could a player like Ales Hemsky fill this role? The Senators are nipping at the Bruins' heels, so adding a player like Hemsky could be a good thing. Hemsky is trying to line up a new contract, so right now the situation is worth monitoring in Edmonton.

Philadelphia Flyers

Right now the Flyers are at 50 contracts. This means that any move they make would have to be even in exchange or involve them taking on less salary than they give up.

The Flyers would love to acquire a player like Ryan Suter or Shea Weber to fill the permanent void that may be left by Chris Pronger.

Phoenix Coyotes

The Coyotes traded for Antoine Vermette, and he should add some offense with Radim Vrbata. The team is gearing up for the postseason and things are looking great.

The team appears to be on the verge of being bought, and as a result, the team will stay in Arizona.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are unlikely to make any moves before the deadline. They have locked up James Neal, and the future of Sidney Crosby will likely impact the moves the team makes moving forward.

With a huge 2013 free-agent class including players like Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, the Penguins will likely wait until this offseason to re-evaluate their assets. 

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks entered the Rick Nash sweepstakes as a top team vying for his services. The Sharks have impressed in the regular season, only to regress in the postseason.

Adding Nash would bolster San Jose's forward group, but at what cost? It is assumed that to acquire Nash the Sharks would have to trade Ryan Clowe, Joe Pavelski or Logan Couture. Will the Sharks pay for the talented power forward? Only time will tell.

St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues have two remarkable goaltenders. However, in the playoffs, teams usually use one goaltender. In order to instill confidence in your goaltender, you need to have a starter and a backup who will only push the starter to be more successful.

In my opinion, the Blues can become a stronger team once they define a No. 1 starter. Who knows? If the Blues establish a No. 1 starter, they could even deal the other to a team that needs goaltending.

This, of course, is unlikely, but it is good to keep options open.

Tampa Bay Lightning

A team that has the league's top goal scorer should not be in the bottom of the conference. If Tampa wants to climb up the ladder back into the playoff picture, a trade needs to be made. The bottom line is that Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon are not cutting it in net.

But who should Tampa target? Could they set their sights on a young goaltender like Cory Schneider or Jonathan Bernier?

A realistic low-cost target for the Lightning could be Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild.

However, the team may have already set its sights for the 2012-13 campaign, so look for them to make a splash in free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs

When the Maple Leafs struck out in the Brad Richards sweepstakes, they were forced to settle for the next best thing—so the Leafs decided to sign the ever injury-prone Tim Connolly. 

This obviously wasn't the best way to spend money, but the Leafs still have some wiggle room.

The Leafs could try and trade for a player like Jeff Carter, but the player they would love to add is Ryan Getzlaf. He is a UFA in 2013 and has the size and talent Brian Burke loves.

Vancouver Canucks

Cory Schneider appears ready to be a full-time NHL starter. Unfortunately, the Canucks already have Roberto Luongo.

There is no shortage of teams that need to acquire a starting goaltender. The Canucks could test the market for Schneider, considering he is an upcoming free agent.

For the right return, the Canucks could be willing to deal Schneider. Dealing Schneider could garner a hefty return for the Canucks.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals are currently on pace to miss the playoffs. The Caps fired their head coach earlier this year and hired Dale Hunter. Things have only slightly turned around, and Alexander Semin is once again a free agent this year. Teams may be interested in the talented winger.

Trading Semin for a player who better fits Dale Hunter's system may be a good way to go.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference. Anything they accomplish this season will please the fans, because they are happy to have their team back.

Making the playoffs is a realistic goal, but they could improve their offense. I could see the Jets taking a chance on a player like Derek Roy for their second line. He is a former 60-point player and could help the team in the final playoff push.

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