NHL Trades: Names and Offers Being Thrown Around as Lockout Continues

Apart from Rick Nash, the key piece in a July deal, the NHL’s top trade-related sagas of 2012 have been left unresolved and frozen in place by the now 2-week-old lockout.

While no deals will be made until the new collective bargaining agreement is reached, the institution of that CBA will instantaneously reopen the possibilities for the players in question. In turn, it will instantly reinvigorate the rumors and speculation, which technically do not go anywhere even in the midst of a lockout.

The top 10 players who are still with their most recent team at the start of the lockout and will likely receive as much scrutiny at the start of the season as they did throughout the summer are as follows.

Jonathan Bernier

The backup for the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and for Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick, Bernier reportedly craves a better opportunity to advance his own career.

The lockout itself is lessening the likelihood of him getting that in LA as every extra day of rest is allowing the likes of Quick to stave off a Stanley Cup hangover.

When and if the 2012-13 season commences, it will likely be a relatively short period until other teams begin to sense a need for goaltending reform. In turn, Bernier can rekindle his trade demands at any time.

Jay Bouwmeester

The Flames’ acquisition of Dennis Wideman, who similarly is a dependable producer in the offensive zone but inconsistent on the home front, could be a sign that Bouwmeester will be exported from Calgary.

Naturally, compensation will be crucial, but there have been too many teams mentioned in the same breath as Bouwmeester in recent months for the chatter to taper off so soon.

Niklas Hjalmarsson

With the insertion of Michal Rozsival and the ensuing gridlock on the blue line in Chicago, Hjalmarsson is one of the young Blackhawks defenders spawning speculation of an imminent move.

If the Hawks do, in fact, want to create space for their new acquisitions, Hjalmarsson may be the easiest to entice any takers as he carries a balance of youth (age 25) and seasoning (260 NHL career games).

Jarome Iginla

Veteran Flames beat writer Randy Sportak holds that, especially depending on the length of the lockout, Iginla could be wearing a different crest in his next NHL game.

Even before the work stoppage kicked in, Iginla himself hinted that he may want to go elsewhere when his team resumes normal business. In turn, even if he is back with Calgary at the next training camp and season opener, he will still be subject to trade talk.

Nick Leddy

Leddy is in Hjalmarsson’s company as a potential candidate to be shipped out of Chicago to make room for Rozsival.

It should be noted that the Blackhawks have also obtained free agent Sheldon Brookbank over the summer. If the defensive depth chart rankings from The Hockey News are any indication, he and/or fellow veteran Steve Montador could leapfrog Leddy, forcing the 21-year-old to go to a team with a wider opening.

Roberto Luongo

Luongo has candidly expressed interest in retracing his career path back to the Florida Panthers.

Although the current goaltending logjam in that organization could complicate such a proposal, the Vancouver Canucks should be raring to part with Luongo and find a suitor for him somewhere. Cory Schneider’s most recent season and postseason have made him appear ripe enough to permanently assume the No. 1 position.

Bobby Ryan

Although Ryan has expressed second thoughts about leaving his Anaheim Ducks, he can still draw interest from those who considered, but failed to land Nash. Depending on how Anaheim progresses in the coming season and what other clubs are willing to offer in a return package, he could easily be thrust back into the rumor mill.

P.K. Subban

Upon failing to one-up the Nashville Predators in the pursuit of Shea Weber, the defensively ravaged Philadelphia Flyers reportedly met with Subban shortly prior to the lockout.

Should there still be mutual interest between Philadelphia and the restricted free agent, the institution of a new CBA ought to have the Flyers resuming their attempted do-over. Of course, there is just as much chance the Montreal Canadiens could lock away Subban for another contract, but only then would all offer sheet-related chatter be quelled.

Tim Thomas

Thomas waived his no-trade clause in June, mere weeks after declaring he would sit the 2012-13 season out.

If he follows through on that, he can still be swapped for the sake of helping a team reach the salary cap floor. If not, he can be given to a team enticed by his potential contributions and thus allow the Boston Bruins to rigidly install Tuukka Rask as their starter.

Keith Yandle

Another potential gap-filler for the Flyers or maybe a booster for his hometown Bruins, Yandle will only draw further trade chatter in the coming campaign if his Coyotes struggle.

Despite their success in the last postseason, the notion of Phoenix enduring a great retraction and going into selling mode on the market is perfectly rational. Consider the fact that they have already lost top point-getter Ray Whitney as well as depth forward Taylor Pyatt, veteran defender Adrian Aucoin and the aforementioned Rozsival.