Five Teams That Could Play Their Next Game with Mason Raymond

With the trade deadline on the doorstep, whether or not Vancouver Canucks' GM Mike Gillis would make a deal or not was anybody's guess. 

With defenseman Keith Ballard now on the long-term injured reserve list, the Canucks suddenly have over four million dollars in extra cap space, and their possibilities are endless. 

Regardless of whether Mike Gillis is looking for a major deal or minor; forward or defenseman, Mason Raymond remains the most likely candidate to be involved.  

With players like Pavel Kubina, Steve Downie, Dominic Moore and many others off the market, the possible destinations for Raymond are dwindling.  

The following are the five most likely teams Mason Raymond will be on by this time tomorrow.  

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the more disappointing teams this season, but at just six points out of the playoffs, they may not be willing to sell one of their main players; but a shake-up is necessary.  

The Canucks have been oft criticized for their lack of grit. Sabres' center Paul Gaustad could bring just that to the Canucks. 

As an upcoming unrestricted free agent, Paul Gaustad would be a great rental player for the Vancouver Canucks, helping them with size and faceoffs for another deep playoff run.  

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are the most likely trade partners on this list, with numerous assets to offer the Canucks in return.  

Recently, the Canucks were rumored to be looking into Stars' forward Steve Ott, but he's not the only hot commodity on the Stars' roster. 

Forward Adam Burish brings both the grit and experience the Canucks could greatly benefit from. 

With Keith Ballard now out, a defender could be at the top of the Canucks' wish list. Mark Fistric would be a perfect fit on the Canucks.  

He would not only fill the gap on the blue line, but also bring the much needed physicality to the team.  

Mike Ribeiro has also been involved in some trade deadline rumors. 

Los Angeles Kings

As fast as the Kings acquired Jeff Carter, the Dustin Brown rumors began. 

While Vancouver hasn't been named in these rumors, a trade with the two teams would make sense. With the Kings no longer panicking over their offense, they have the ability to shake up the roster a bit.  

The Kings' captain would bring size and grit to the Canucks, and with Ballard on the IR, they can afford him.  

The addition of Raymond would bring speed to the Kings' lineup, without sacrificing offensive ability.  

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have now fell to last place in the Eastern Conference, making them even more likely to be major sellers tomorrow.  

Travis Moen is another player who's been mentioned in trade rumors with Vancouver. 

The left winger would be a great fit on the Canucks roster, bringing size, grit and the odd incredible offensive play.  

Mason Raymond would bring Montreal some youth on a team in dyer need of a rebuild.  

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have been playing great hockey lately, bringing them to the top of the league and setting them on pace for another President's Trophy.  

There's always the possibility that Mike Gillis believes that the roster should go unchanged. After all, if your numbers are reflective of the best team in the NHL, why change it?

Washington Capitals

As mentioned, Keith Ballard is injured for the foreseeable future. 

With many defenders being moved early, the list of players to replace Ballard is quite small. 

Roman Hamrlik is one defenseman rumored to still be on the market. 

At 37 years old, Hamrlik would bring a great deal of experience to the Canucks, and provided how the Capitals have played recently, they could use the roster change.