NHL Trade Scenarios: 7 Shocking Names You'll See in Rumors over the Summer

This summer will be more interesting than in years past because of the new CBA that will need to get done before the 2012-13 NHL season commences.

There could be lots of trades, or very little trades, but there are a number of players who could be moved for salary and team-rebuilding reasons.

Since the salary cap could go down in the next CBA, teams may try to shed some salary by trading players with large contracts.

Let's look at seven surprise names who could be on the move in the summer.

Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks' center is one of the best two-way forwards in hockey, but injuries over the last two seasons have prevented him from playing at his best consistently.

Kesler hasn't been the playoff performer Vancouver fans have come to expect of someone of his talent level.

He was a non-factor in the team's last two playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings this year and the Boston Bruins last season.

If the Canucks decide to make drastic changes to their team over the summer, Kesler might be a player who is moved, since the Sedin twins aren't going anywhere and Kesler still has a lot of value as a young player.

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Even though Tim Thomas' time as an elite goaltender isn't going to end next season, the 38-year-old star might not be with the Boston Bruins.

Young backup Tuukka Rask is ready to become the full-time starter for the Bruins and has the potential to be a superstar netminder.

Since Thomas' salary will go down to just $3 million next season, which is the final year of his current contract, he's very affordable for teams close to the cap who need significant goaltending help.

He would also be attractive to teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, who are a goalie away from being a top Stanley Cup contender.

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames

For the last few years, star goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has been the MVP of the Calgary Flames and has anchored a team with offensive and defensive weaknesses that have prevented the franchise from making the playoffs consistently.

The Flames must start their inevitable rebuild this season, and there most prized asset is Kiprusoff, who could probably net the team top prospects or a young NHL-ready player in a trade.

The no-movement clause in his contract ends after this season.

Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche

Paul Stastny is a talented young center with two years left on his current contract.

With the Colorado Avalanche having several talented young players on offense throughout the organization, the team might be willing to look at trading Stastny for some goaltending help or an elite defenseman.

Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins

Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby are both entering the final year of their current contracts, and while Crosby's $8.7 million probably won't increase too much in his new deal, Staal's $4 million definitely will.

The Penguins already have Malkin making $8.7 million against the cap for the next two years and can't afford to have three players making $6 million or more when the team has defensive issues to address.

As a young star with a solid two-way game, the Penguins could get a ton of value in return by trading Staal.

Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks

Patrick Marleau rarely performs to his abilities in the playoffs, and this year against the St. Louis Blues in the first round, he had zero points in five games.

It's time for the Sharks to break up their veteran core and acquire younger talent to build around for the future.

Marleau's inability to play well in the playoffs has proven his run in San Jose needs to come to an end. 

The team isn't going to win a Stanley Cup with Marleau.

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals have proven in this year's playoffs that captain and star forward Alexander Ovechkin doesn't have to play many minutes for the team to be successful.

With the team needing more depth and talent on defense, it wouldn't shock me if the thought of trading Ovechkin is discussed this summer. 

The Capitals could use his $9.53 million cap hit to improve the team in a major way. However, Ovechkin has done a lot for hockey in the Washington D.C. area, and the owner likes him. 

It would be tough to sell fans the idea of trading someone as iconic as Ovechkin, but there are positives to making a deal happen.