NHL Rumors: Latest Roberto Luongo Buzz and Top Trade Target Rumblings

The NHL trade deadline isn’t until April 3, but already rumors have been heating up since the announcement of a CBA deal between the NHLPA and NHL.

Where will hot trade target goalie Roberto Luongo end up? Will he find a new home where he can play as the team's primary keeper? Or, will he have to wait until the Vancouver Canucks haul in a top-tier package for their veteran backup netminder?

Let's take a look at the latest on Luongo's trade status and some other top potential targets around the league.

Jarome Iginla, W, Calgary Flames

Calgary GM Jay Feaster is intent on not discussing the future of Jarome Iginla. He insists the 35-year-old veteran winger will be with the team throughout the season, despite not being able to come to a contract agreement with him.

Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun found out Feaster’s apparent intentions over the weekend:

"

The directive here in Calgary, the objective here in Calgary, has not changed. From ownership right on through, our goal and our intent is to have Jarome Iginla spend his entire playing career with the Calgary Flames.

"

Despite the early commitment to Iginla, Feaster’s tune may change if the Flames struggle, which is likely, in the opening month of the shortened season. Moving a veteran like Iginla could get a decent return and would make sense for the rebuilding Flames.

Keith Yandle, D, Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix’s Keith Yandle may not be available for trade any longer.  Rumors have been swirling due to the team’s perceived abundance of talented defensemen.

Coyotes GM Don Maloney doesn’t see a reason to deal his veteran assistant captain, though, according to Sarah McClellan of The Arizona Republic:

"

He's no different than any other player we have that, if the deal is right—but it has to be really, really right for us to think of a guy like Keith, Marty Hanzal, the guys that have been here, our core players. We want to keep our core players.

"

Maloney’s stance makes sense. That’s especially true considering that with the new CBA requiring teams to spend money, the Coyotes need to keep any type of positivity going that they can.

Roberto Luongo, G, Vancouver Canucks

We know that teams are in talks in an attempt to win the Roberto Luongo sweepstakes, but we don’t know who is willing to pay the hefty asking price.

Vancouver is asking for an established NHL player and a top-end prospect, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Luongo, 33, could be headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs, if they are willing to pay the price of admission. LeBrun noted that new Leafs GM Dave Nonis brought the star netminder to Vancouer in the first place when he was the Canucks’ GM.

Whatever ends up happening, the Canucks have several suitors and will likely hold onto their valuable trade asset until someone wins them over.