NHL Trade Rumors: Ideal Landing Spots for Jarome Iginla and More Stars

The NHL trade deadline is coming soon, and there are plenty of NHL trade rumors concerning the top players available.

What are the ideal landing spots for Jarome Iginla and some of the other stars on the market?

Read on to find out. 

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla is the top name on the trade market, and it was reported (per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald) over the weekend that he would waive his no-trade clause for four teams—the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings.

Clearly, the 35-year-old winger wants a chance to win a Cup. With Pittsburgh acquiring (per Shawne P. Roarke of NHL.com) Brendan Morrow, it would seem to discount the Penguins from the Iginla sweepstakes.

Iginla, who has scored six goals and added five assists, would be a valuable addition to any team looking to a win a Cup. While he doesn't possess the same offensive game he had five years ago, Iginla does have everything that is desired in a hockey player.

He is tough, will forecheck aggressively and is not afraid to use his body. He'll drop the gloves and be physical, but he is deft around the net and is a consummate leader. He adds instant gravitas to any locker and has experience making long runs in the playoffs.

Whatever team does get the impending free agent will be happy. Of the three teams, Boston has the best chance to acquire Iginla. They can dangle top goalie prospect Malcolm Subban—brother of Montreal Canadiens' star P.K. Subban—to the Flames, who need a long-term replacement for Miikka Kiprusoff. 

Iginla would be dynamic on the Bruins, fitting in well on a line with Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic. It would make a tough team even tougher and give them another layer of scoring. 

Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle is a top defenseman, but with the Phoenix Coyotes locking up Oliver Ekman-Larsson long-term, the 'Yotes might want to dangle Yandle for some offensive help.

Yandle who, according to Mark Spector of Sportsnet is on the block, has five goals and 11 assists and would be an upgrade for any power play. 

Yandle is not cheap, as he's set (per capgeek.com) to make $5.25 million through 2016. So any trade would have to send equal salary back to Phoenix.

A good match might be in San Jose. The Sharks look poised to blow things up, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, and adding Yandle would be a good way to start. The Sharks could send someone like Martin Havlat or Ryane Clowe to help give a Coyotes team that scores just 2.48 goals per game a huge boost of offense. 

Yandle is a solid, all-around defenseman with offensive upside. He has good size, is physical and has a heavy shot. Yandle could anchor the Sharks' long-term defense alongside Brent Burns and help them get back on the winning track.

Mike Ribeiro

Mike Ribeiro is a top offensive center, and he could find himself on a new team by the trading deadline. 

The center, who has 10 goals and 24 assists, could find himself in Toronto, according to Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star. 

The Leafs would benefit from another center to help Phil Kessel, and Ribeiro has shown the ability to play with high-quality wings. 

He's excelled with Alexander Ovechkin on his wing. Ribeiro is a creative playmaker with good speed. He's an excellent passer, one of the best in the league, and is terrific in shootouts.

Ribeiro would give a huge boost to the Leafs as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.