NHL Trade Deadline 2013: Latest on Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and More

The looming April 3 trade deadline hasn’t produced much action yet on the NHL trade market. In a shortened season, several teams are still weighing their options as the playoffs quickly approach.

Jarome Iginla’s move to Pittsburgh may signal big things on the horizon, though. The biggest name on the trade market, Iginla’s deal opens the doors for contenders to push the envelope to pull even with the Penguins in the final stretch of the season.

Eleven teams outside the top eight in each conference are within five points of a playoff spot. Some of those teams already have their eyes on rebuilding for the future, but expect to see a couple surprise movers looking to make a late-season push for the playoffs.

We’ll take a look at the latest rumors involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames and how those rumors could affect several other teams in the league.

Calgary Flames

With just 30 points through 33 games, the Flames chose this season as a good time to start thinking about the future. They sit just two points ahead of Colorado for last place in the Western Conference, and the playoffs certainly don’t appear to be a real possibility at this point.

Calgary’s decision to move Iginla has apparently opened the door for further deals. According to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, Jay Bouwmeester may also be on the move before the deadline:

"

The Calgary Flames don’t have to necessarily move him -- he’s got one more year left on his deal (at $6.6 million), so he’s not a pending unrestricted free agent forcing the NHL club to seek immediate asset return. 

But since the face of the franchise, Jarome Iginla, has been dealt, anything is possible now in Calgary. 

"

LeBrun also cites an NHL executive who believes Bouwmeester will be traded before April 3, but that “they want a lot for him.”

According to LeBrun, the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings are interested in Bouwmeester, who still has a year left on his contract.

The 29-year-old defenseman does have a no-trade clause in his contract, though it’s hard to believe he would forgo the opportunity to play for a contender with Iginla no longer in town.

Edmonton Oilers

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Oilers are trying to trade 30-year-old defenseman Ryan Whitney:

While Bouwmeester is the marquee defenseman on the trade market, Whitney presents teams with an intriguing second option. He has come on strong in the last month, scoring seven of his 10 points since March 1 with limited playing time.

A shrinking 2013-14 salary cap may limit Whitney’s market, especially with a $4 million contract tied to him. Still, there are plenty of teams desperate enough to make a strong push for the playoffs with the means of acquiring the defenseman.

Boston could certainly be an option here, as McKenzie notes on Twitter:

Trading for Whitney after losing out on Iginla certainly wouldn’t be option No. 1, but it would be better than standing pat as the league’s elite teams continue to get better.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Veteran goalies are valuable assets in the playoffs, especially those with the talent of a productive Roberto Luongo.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Toronto may once again be in the market for the 33-year-old:

Very few teams are in desperate need of a goalie at this point in the season. Luongo would likely be a second option for most teams interested, and his $5.33 million cap number isn’t exactly a friendly figure.

Even so, money may not be the biggest hold-up in a potential Luongo deal. There’s also the matter of compensation.

According to Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo! Sports, Vancouver is expecting a hefty sum in return for their veteran goalie, but the Canucks might not get what they want:

"

The way things have gone for GM Mike Gillis with Luongo, and the way things are going for the goalie market, the Canucks’ return for Luongo might make the Flames’ return for Iginla look like the Lindros bounty for Quebec.

"

This potential deal will be worth keeping an eye on, but given the uncertainty with which Vancouver is faced in its attempts to trade Luongo, there’s a good possibility he spends the rest of the season with the Canucks.