The Top NHL Trade Rumors at the 2015 All-Star Break

The NHL's All-Star break (Jan. 22-26) is in effect, but that hasn't put a stop to the trade rumors. General managers could use the break to lay the groundwork for potential trades leading up to the March 2 deadline.

Teams on the playoff bubble will try to bolster their rosters. Contenders will hope to build depth for a Stanley Cup run. Non-contenders will be in sell mode as they get a head start on rebuilding for next season.

The following is a list of the top 10 NHL trade rumors at the All-Star break, with analysis and predictions for each. Feel free to comment below. 

10. Joffrey Lupul to the Dallas Stars?

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The Rumor: The Toronto Star's Mark Zwolinski reports the Dallas Stars could be interested in Toronto Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. 

Analysis: The Stars need offensive depth beyond their first line, and Lupul is a five-time 20-plus-goal scorer. However, the 31-year-old left wing has a lengthy injury history and is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury. Lupul also carries an annual cap hit of $5.25 million through 2017-18. 

Prediction: Lupul's contract and injury history are deal-breakers. The Stars won't pursue him. 

9. Could the Vancouver Canucks Trade Zack Kassian?

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The Rumor: The Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma reports teams are calling about Vancouver Canucks winger Zack Kassian, but his trade value is declining. He has only two goals in 24 games and missed part of the season to injury. Kuzma believes the Canucks want a big forward in return. 

Analysis: The 6'3”, 214-pound Kassian has the size and potential to become a power forward. The fear in Vancouver, however, is that the 23-year-old could blossom into a star elsewhere. Kassian has a year left on his contract at an annual cap hit of $1.75 million. 

Prediction: The Canucks aren't under pressure to move Kassian this season, but general manager Jim Benning might try to bolster his roster for a playoff push. Kassian could interest clubs seeking depth at forward. The Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators could be suitors.

8. Ottawa Senators Seek a Top-Six Forward

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The Rumor: The Ottawa Citizen's Ken Warren reports Senators general manager Bryan Murray is still pursuing a top-six forward. 

Analysis: At the All-Star break, the Senators are 10 points out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. That's partly due to an offense which sits 20th in goals scored. If the Senators hope to gain ground in the standings they'll need an offensive boost soon. 

Prediction: There aren't many sellers right now, and they don't have much to offer. The best options could be Arizona's Antoine Vermette and Buffalo's Chris Stewart. Murray could be forced to wait for the market to improve, but that could be too late to help his club. 

7. Jeff Petry to the Detroit Red Wings?

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The Rumor: The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson believes Jeff Petry's free-agent status this summer means his days with the Edmonton Oilers are numbered. Matheson speculates the Detroit Red Wings, in need of a right-handed defenseman, could be among Petry's suitors. 

Analysis: Petry could be the most affordable option for the Red Wings. MLive.com's Ansar Khan wonders if an offer of Jakub Kindl or Joakim Andersson, a mid-level prospect and a second-round pick might land the 27-year-old rearguard.

Prediction: The Red Wings won't have to give up a lot to get Petry. Still, the Oilers could seek a center like Riley Sheahan or Luke Glendening as part of the return.

6. Philadelphia Flyers Could Become Sellers

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The Rumor: NJ.com's Randy Miller believes the Philadelphia Flyers will become sellers by the March trade deadline. Possible trade candidates include defensemen Nick Schultz, Luke Schenn, Braydon Coburn and Nicklas Grossmann. The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa speculates teams could have interest in winger Matt Read. 

Analysis: The Flyers must rebuild their struggling defense. Schultz, Schenn and Grossmann might not attract more than draft picks or prospects. Coburn could add a promising player. Read has struggled this season. He'll have to be packaged with a good prospect or draft pick to land a decent blueliner.  

Prediction: Flyers general manager Ron Hextall could clean house by the trade deadline. To land a top-two defenseman, however, he could be forced to part with a good, young forward like Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier.

5. Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators Interested in Chris Stewart

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The Rumor: Sportsnet's Evan Peaslee cites colleague Elliotte Friedman in reporting that the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators could be interested in Buffalo Sabres right wing Chris Stewart. 

Analysis: Eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, Stewart could be dealt before the trade deadline. He's a former two-time 28-goal scorer but has managed only 15 points in 45 games this season. On Dec. 27, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Sabres' asking price for Stewart was “a high-end prospect and a top pick.” 

Prediction: Stewart's current production isn't worth what the Sabres seek. The asking price must significantly drop to entice the Flames, Predators or other interested clubs. 

4. Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins Could Pursue Andrej Sekera

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The Rumor: TSN's Bob McKenzie reports the Los Angeles Kings could be interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Andrej Sekera as a short-term replacement for the suspended Slava Voynov. The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson speculates the Pittsburgh Penguins could see Sekera as a replacement for the sidelined Olli Maatta. 

Analysis: Sekera is an effective two-way defenseman who's an unrestricted free agent this summer. If he's unwilling to re-sign, the Hurricanes will move him by the trade deadline. Provided the asking price is reasonable, the Kings and Penguins could pursue Sekera as a rental player. 

Prediction: The Penguins could have the inside track on Sekera. General manager Jim Rutherford acquired the blueliner during his tenure as Hurricanes GM and could offer a better deal to his former team.

3. Arizona Coyotes Could Ship Out Several Players

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The Rumor: After the Arizona Coyotes dealt goalie Devan Dubnyk to Minnesota, TSN's Pierre LeBrun believes more moves are coming soon. Possible trade candidates include center Antoine Vermette and defensemen Keith Yandle (pictured above) and Zbynek Michalek. 

Analysis: Vermette and Michalek are unrestricted free agents this summer and are likely goners by the trade deadline. Yandle has a year left on his contract. If the Coyotes don't find a deal they like for him this season they could wait for better offers this summer.

Prediction:  The Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators could use a versatile forward like Vermette. The Colorado Avalanche need experienced blue-line depth and could pursue Yandle. Michalek could be attractive to the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings, as both clubs lack depth in defensemen with right-handed shots. 

2. Dion Phaneuf for Mike Richards?

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The Rumor: The Toronto Star's Kevin McGran reports of speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs could ship defenseman Dion Phaneuf ($7 million per season) to the Los Angeles Kings for center Mike Richards and his $5.75 million annual cap hit. 

Analysis: The Kings and Leafs swap toxic contracts while addressing their needs. Richards gives the Leafs championship experience, leadership and depth at center. With Slava Voynov suspended pending the outcome of his upcoming domestic violence trial, Phaneuf bolsters the Kings blue-line depth.  

Prediction: Don't hold your breath waiting for this one. The Kings already have limited cap space to re-sign key players like Tyler Toffoli, Tanner Pearson and Justin Williams this summer and Anze Kopitar in 2016. It makes no sense to add Phaneuf's lengthier, more expensive contract.  

1. Colorado Avalanche Testing Ryan O'Reilly's Trade Value

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The Rumor: Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos claims the Colorado Avalanche are sending out trade feelers regarding forward Ryan O'Reilly. Colleague Mike Johnston claims the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks as possible destinations.   

Analysis: The 2014 Lady Byng Trophy winner is an excellent two-way forward who can play center or wing. He carries an annual cap hit of $6 million and is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July 2016. Johnston claims the Avalanche seek blue-line help in return. Interested clubs could seek assurances O'Reilly will re-sign with them. 

Prediction: It will take a serious offer to pry O'Reilly away from the Avalanche at the trade deadline. The Avalanche could seek Tyler Myers from the Sabres, Keith Yandle from the Coyotes, T.J. Brodie from the Flames, Morgan Rielly from the Leafs, Jack Johnson from the Blue Jackets or Marc-Edouard Vlasic from the Sharks.

Players stats via NHL.com and player salary information via NHLNumbers.com.