NHL Rumors: Buzz on Ryan O'Reilly, Nathan Gerbe and More

It hasn't exactly been all quiet on the frozen front when it comes to the NHL rumor mill this season, but darn it all if it hasn't been pretty close.

Even Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is somewhat exasperated by it:

But there are always rumors to be found, folks, and today is no exception. They might not blow you away with big names on the block, but there are enough rumors here to whet your whistle.

The "Ryan O'Reilly is definitely getting traded, you guys" Rumor Dump

Suddenly, the rumors suggesting that Ryan O'Reilly of the Colorado Avalanche will get moved are coming in hard and fast. 

We start with Darren Dreger of TSN, who set these rumors in motion:

Meanwhile, Adrian Dater of the Denver Post—who initially reported O'Reilly wouldn't be traded—then built upon Dreger's report:

"

Darren Dreger of TSN reported tonight the Avs are asking for a “roster player and a top prospect.” That sounds about right. The Avs will not confirm that’s what they are asking for. They won’t confirm much of anything right now. They have gone into bunker mentality mode on the Factor.

There is a lot more to this story, but until O’Reilly is traded, I’m kind of bound by an agreement not to report anything until then. Sorry. Really, I’m amazed this all happened.

"

He then tweeted the following:

Even The Fourth Period got in on this action, writing, "A source close to the situation told TFP 'a trade seems to be the only solution, at this point.'"

There you have it, folks—a young, talented, two-way center is going to get traded because the Avs couldn't work out a new contract with him. It seems pretty shocking, but as of now, O'Reilly is on the way out.

Paul Postma on the move?

According to Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will be looking to upgrade the forward position this season. But what will he dangle to do so?

How about defencemen Paul Postma? From Lawless:

"

That leaves Postma. He's got upside and tangible skills. Teams will want him and be willing to part with a "today" player and not just picks. He's inexpensive at $550,000 and is a RFA at the end of this season. There's lots to like about getting Paul Postma. One can argue the same about keeping him.

There are under 40 games remaining on this condensed schedule and GMs will soon begin to make moves.

The Jets were rumoured to be chatting with a number of teams on the weekend and Postma's name is the one that keeps surfacing.

"

As Lawless notes, Postma is potentially a top-four defenceman down the road, so the Jets would need to bring in a talented forward to ship him out. But if they go that route, it looks as though Postma is the team's most logical trade chip.

Speaking of trade chips...

Will Nathan Gerbe be dangled by the Buffalo Sabres as a potential asset in a deal? 

Andy Strickland of True Hockey thinks that might be exactly what happens:

"

Sources say don’t be shocked if Sabres GM Darcy Regier moves or at least attempts to move Gerbe in the near future.

Gerbe has been relegated to fourth line duty where with his size he’s hardly making any sort of relevant impact. He’s playing 9 minutes on a good night but for the most part is seeing 6-7 minutes of ice a night. This guy isn't a fourth line player and I'm not so sure what the thought process is here.

"

Strickland would add, "The Sabres are currently sitting in last place in the Northeast Division and word is Regier is on the phone exploring his options."

For a player with 31 points two years ago and 25 points last year, this year's output—no goals, no assists and a minus-five in the season's first 10 games—has been very disappointing. 

Heck, he might be playing himself out of any trade value. One way or another, it seems likely he'll be moving on to another city soon enough.