NHL Trade Scenarios: One Player Each Team Would Love to Get Rid Of

Some players are often described as a perfect fit for "Team X" but that isn't always the case over time and players are dealt. It is a part of the business, and each NHL team has at least one player they would love to get rid of.

Some players have worn out their welcome, others have underperformed and some no longer complement their team's current makeup.

In other words, here are a few players who each team would love to get rid of. Each slide is situational as some teams may have players they can't re-sign and as a result they would love to trade them so they don't lose them for nothing.

Anaheim Ducks: Dan Ellis

The Anaheim Ducks have no reason to keep Ellis with Jonas Hiller as the team's top goaltender. The Ducks also signed goaltender Viktor Fasth to a one-year, $1 million deal, so that could indicate that Ellis will not be back in Anaheim next season.

Boston Bruins: Brian Rolston

Brian Rolston was a decent trade deadline acquisition for the Bruins, but he isn't in their long-term plans. By dumping Rolston, the Bruins will have the flexibility to retain their major free agents. The move will also give them some cap space for the upcoming season.

Buffalo Sabres: Derek Roy

Derek Roy has been linked to trade rumors in recent weeks and for good reason. The latest rumor circulated from The Fourth Period.

The former top center has not been the same since returning from injury. Roy has underperformed and not brought much to the table despite his annual cap hit of $4.0 million.

Roy is a free agent after this season, but the odds are that the Sabres will deal him this summer.

Calgary Flames: Jay Bouwmeester

This is one player the Calgary Flames would love to trade. Bouwmeester makes $6,680,000 a season yet he has failed to reach the 30-point plateau in the last three series. He is overpaid and he has severely underperformed during his time in Calgary.

The only saving grace for Jay Feaster is that if Scott Gomez was once traded, anything is possible for players with horrendous contracts.

Carolina Hurricanes: Jaroslav Spacek

The Hurricanes could be in a big position to make a run at Ryan Suter or Zach Parise this summer. In order to accomplish this, the Hurricanes need to free up as much potential cap space as they can. 

If the Hurricanes attempt to pursue Suter, there is a good chance they will not re-sign Spacek because of his age and cap hit.

Chicago Blackhawks: Cristobal Huet

The former starting netminder for the Blackhawks is finally a free agent and the Hawks will finally dump his contract.

Although he hasn't counted against the salary cap the past few years, the Blackhawks have still paid him a lot of money.

Huet is now 36 years old and will hit the market, but will there be a team out there that's willing to sign him?

Colorado Avalanche: Matt Hunwick

Matt Hunwick is a puck-moving depth defenseman who makes a minimal amount. He was acquired in a trade with Boston and was a decent defenseman, but the Avalanche have other areas where they could improve their team, so this small saving could be applied to a much bigger deal down the line.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash

The Blue Jackets need to move on past the Rick Nash trade saga, so dealing him this offseason would be best for all involved. It is clear that Nash wants to move on and Scott Howson will try to accommodate that request.

Even though trading a franchise player in Nash sounds daunting, the potential return would be beneficial in retooling the depth of the Blue Jackets.

Nash is a talented player who would benefit in a system in which he is surrounded with complementary player.

Trading Nash would be a huge step forward for the franchise, as they would finally head in a new direction for the future.

Dallas Stars: Stephane Robidas

Stephane Robidas is a veteran defenseman who has been a solid player for the Dallas Stars. However, he carries a $3.3 million cap charge and doesn't contribute as much offensively as he used to.

In the right deal, Dallas could trade Robidas to a team needing a veteran defenseman. They could gain some cap relief in order to retain their own free agents and still have some room to pursue some unrestricted free agents.

Detroit Red Wings: Brad Stuart

There were rumors at the trade deadline that Stuart would be traded, due to the fact it appears he will not be back in Detroit next season.

However, that rumor ultimately was just nonsense. But the fact still remains that Stuart likely will not be a Red Wing next season. With all of Detroit's cap space, signing a suitable replacement should not be an issue.

Stuart is one of the better free-agent defensemen on the current market, so there would be a good chance that a team would be willing to trade for his negotiating rights.

The Wings would love to hold onto Stuart but if he is going to sign somewhere else, they would love to trade him now while they still can.

Edmonton Oilers: Shawn Horcoff

Shawn Horcoff is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers and despite this, he is a prime trade candidate for a few reasons.

Firstly, the team is headed in a new direction. Tom Renney is no longer the head coach. This is a move that will impact the Oilers because he was a coach who relied on veterans heavily.

Secondly, Horcoff is making $5.5 million a season and his point production and overall minutes have decreased. 

With Brent Sutter as the front runner to be installed as the new head coach, odds are that the Oilers' youthful contingent of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall will have an increased role with the team.

Horcoff is a grizzled veteran who unfortunately no longer lives up to his contract.

Florida Panthers: Wojtek Wolski

Wojtek Wolski was acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers and didn't have much of an impact. He is a restricted free agent, and in order to retain his services, the Panthers would have to sign him to a qualifying offer.

It is unlikely that the Panrhers will qualify Wolski, therefore his rights could be up for grabs. Wolski has shown that he can contribute offensively, so there will be at least one team willing to risk a late draft pick for his negotiating rights.

Los Angeles Kings: Simon Gagne

When the Los Angeles Kings acquired Simon Gagne, they did not envision that they would be dishing out dollars for a player who would be impacted by injury. Gagne was a talented player in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.

The Kings got to the Stanley Cup Final with the help of offensive contributors like Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. 

Gagne is now expendable, so look for Los Angeles to attempt to find a suitor for him this summer.

Minnesota Wild: Devin Setoguchi

Devin Setoguchi was signed to a contract extension by the San Jose Sharks and was promptly traded the next day to the Minnesota Wild in a swap that sent Brent Burns to San Jose.

Setoguchi had a promising season in San Jose, in which he tallied 65 points and was a player with promise. He then had some decline in his production and that continued in Minnesota. Setoguchi carries a low cap charge of $3.0 million and there are a few teams that would show interest in adding a scorer.

Setoguchi is only 25 years old and has tons of promise, so moving him would be an accepted move if Minnesota makes an expected push to sign Zach Parise.

Montreal Canadiens: Scott Gomez

Scott Gomez has been horrendous the past few years and the Canadiens could buy him out or amnesty his contract if such a clause included in a new CBA. The bottom line remains that Gomez needs to get out of Montreal.

There are likely no teams in the NHL that would be willing to accept Gomez no matter what was presented to them. It appears only a buyout or a mutual separation will get Gomez out of Montreal.

Nashville Predators: Alexander Radulov

Alexander Radulov returned to the NHL amongst controversy and he will leave the Predators amongst controversy.

Radulov returned to the NHL in order to fulfill the last year of his entry-level contract. However, he created controversy when he missed curfew during the playoffs and was suspended by the team for two games.

There is absolutely no reason why anyone should expect Radulov to return to Nashville. As an RFA, Nashville can trade his rights. The Predators likely won't let him leave for free, so it will be interesting to see what happens with Radulov as the draft approaches.

New Jersey Devils: Eric Boulton

Eric Boulton is a heavyweight enforcer who has been a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs. His style of play is not suited for the playoffs and he could be out of a job with New Jersey next season.

With the emergence of New Jersey's stellar fourth line featuring Stephen Gionta, Steve Bernier and Ryan Carter, Boulton is expendable and a player New Jersey would love to trade this offseason.

New York Islanders: Rick DiPietro

If the NHL adds an amnesty buyout with the upcoming CBA, getting rid of the often-injured Rick DiPietro would be a wise and widely expected move. The Islanders want to be a contending playoff team, but until they are rid of DiPietro, they will be on the hook for his salary. 

If the team could trade him they would, but who would be interested in the former top prospect?

New York Rangers: Brandon Dubinsky

Brandon Dubinsky has fallen down the depth chart for the Rangers. He makes $4.2 million dollars and is paid primarily for his defense and penalty-killing specialties. The Rangers have tons of young players who have either stepped in to a prominent role or will do so next season.

Dealing Dubinsky gives the Rangers cap space to sign free agents and relief to retain free agents of their own.

Ottawa Senators: Zenon Konopka

Zenon Konopka was a big faceoff taker for the Ottawa Senators against the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.

He is making minimal money and there are a ton of teams that would be willing to trade for a grinder and face-off specialist considering how important face-offs are in the playoffs.

No matter how you look at it, Konopka is a player who will will not be back next season. Although he is a UFA, look for teams to show interest in Konopka around the draft.

Philadelphia Flyers: Sergei Bobrovsky

The Philadelphia Flyers may already be looking to trade Sergei Bobrovsky, according to a report from CSN's John Boruk:

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It became clear the moment Bryzgalov signed a nine-year contract that Bobrovsky was no longer in the organization's long-term plans. And after this off-season, I'll be very surprised if Bobrovsky is still with the team.

Unfortunately, his poor play down the stretch crippled whatever trade value he may have had and the teams looking to solidify their goaltending prior to next season won't list Bobrovsky as their No. 1 choice.

For that reason, Bobrovsky needs to play as if he's the starter and that opportunity with this organization will only come next season with the Phantoms now that Michael Leighton is no longer under contract.

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With that in mind, teams looking for a goaltender may inquire about Bobrovsky's services.

Phoenix Coyotes: Boyd Gordon

The 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs have done a great job illustrating the importance of faceoffs. Boyd Gordon is a player considered a faceoff specialist. Gordon won 56.8 percent of his faceoffs this season, which is a solid number well above the league average.

Gordon is also a solid bottom-six player who can kill penalties so he is a player the Coyotes could sell high on to the right buyer.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Paul Martin

Paul Martin makes $5 million a season and he is a bit overpaid. He is a veteran defenseman with Stanley Cup experience but he shouldn't command such a high salary.

Look for the Penguins to dump Martin if they can this offseason in order to free up some cap space.

San Jose Sharks: Patrick Marleau

Patrick Marleau has been a Sharks mainstay for quite some time now, but some feel the Sharks should trade him. An NBC Pro Hockey Talk report suggest that it may be the right move to deal the veteran player.

Marleau is a solid offensive producer and two-way player but makes a hefty salary. The Sharks have not had tons of success, so maybe a shakeup would be the best move the franchise could make.

St. Louis Blues: Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart made $3.25 million last season and contributed 30 points. This is not enough of a contribution from Stewart considering how much he is paid. He is a restricted free agent, so it won't be a hard decision to dump Stewart on the market this summer.

Stewart is a player who can contribute, but he needs a change of scenery. A team looking for some secondary scoring and a player who can rotate between the second and third line may be willing to trade for Stewart's negotiating rights.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Ryan Malone

Malone is a solid offensive player with grit and grind. He is a snarly player who will fight for pucks along the board and will also get physical when necessary. Malone has a limited NTC and makes $4.5 million a year.

This contract and his production would make him a lucrative trade target for a team looking to add a gritty winger to their ranks. Tampa Bay loves Malone but could get a decent return for gritty winger this offseason.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Komisarek

Mike Komisarek is a defenseman who is a bit overpaid. For almost $5 million the season, the Maple Leafs expected him to contribute more than a combined 19 points over the last three seasons.

He is a player who the Leafs would love to get rid of very soon.

Vancouver Canucks: Roberto Luongo

The Vancouver Canucks want to trade Roberto Luongo. A few weeks ago, a report came out that indicated he was compiling a list of teams he would accept a trade to.

Here is an excerpt from a TSN report:

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On Tuesday, Luongo said he would agree to waive his no-trade clause if team officials asked him to do so. The report indicates the Toronto Maple Leafs will be one of the teams on that list.

"It's going to be what's best for the team," Luongo said on Tuesday. "Whatever scenario that is, I'm okay with it - whether that involves me being here or not is okay. We've got a lot of potential in this locker room, there's a great core of guys, and the chance to do something special."

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Weeks later, Luongo is in the process of compiling a list of teams he would welcome a trade to. The list is not expected to be very long, but it will be interesting to see what teams are on it. 

Washington Capitals: Mike Green

The Hockey News recently named Mike Green as a player who the Capitals should trade. Here is an excerpt explaining why this should happen this summer.

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First and foremost, if Caps GM George McPhee made it known Green was up for grabs, a number of teams would be kicking the tires hard enough to knock the bolts loose. Yes, he’s had some injury troubles, but he’s still only 25 and his annual cap hit of $5.3 million is on the books for just one more year, at which time he becomes an RFA. Green led all defensemen in scoring in both 2008-09 and 2009-10, earning a Norris nomination in the latter campaign.

Green is a dynamic player whom the Capitals can only afford to move because 21-year-old John Carlson has demonstrated he’s going to be a two-way force in the league.

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The Capitals are likely going to shake up the team this summer, he makes a significant amount of money and the Capitals defense has evolved. Teams are always looking for offensive defensemen, so Green could draw a nice return if he is put on the block.

Winnipeg Jets: Nik Antropov

Nik Antropov's play and production has declined the past two seasons. Three years ago, Antropov scored 67 points. With a cap hit of $4,062,500 per year, Antropov needed to step up his game.

Antropov is a solid player with size and is useful on the power play, so if the Jets could trade him, there would be a few teams interested in the sizable power forward.