NHL Trade Rumors: Pre-Deadline Rumblings on Joffrey Lupul, Jordan Staal and More

The March 2 NHL trade deadline is drawing near, which means front offices have little time remaining to bolster their squads or to deal off valuable assets.

While teams are still in the thick of serious playoff races, certain clubs have already begun the process of padding their rosters for potential postseason runs. There still remain a number of notable players on the trading block to sift over, although they won't be obtained without the right return.

After the deadline is when Stanley Cup contenders make their biggest surges, and look for the below names to have a big say on just how much impact this year's deadline produces.

Joffrey Lupul

LM Otero/Associated Press

The Toronto Maple Leafs are slipping further from playoff contention in the Atlantic Division, and one of their most embattled assets could be on the move. Andrew Walker of Sportsnet 590 reported the following on Joffrey Lupul:

The 31-year-old has been in Toronto since the 2010-11 season, but has undergone serious injury troubles, having played only 16 games in 2012-13 and missing his fair share of time over the years. Two 20-goal seasons in Toronto haven't done much to overshadow his struggles.

The market didn't get any softer for Lupul once his name got out there, but that could change as TSN's Darren Dreger reported:

Lupul has the goods to be a productive scorer from the left wing, but could do well to see a change of scenery with only nine goals and 10 assists in 33 games this season. However, it's hard to say that his production matches a $5.25 million cap hit per season, per Spotrac.

With three years on an expensive deal following the season, the Maple Leafs may have to accept a smaller ransom than usual for a player of Lupul's caliber—especially given his injury troubles. 

Jordan Staal

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

No stranger to seeing his name floated around in trade talks, Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal was linked to an eyebrow-raising return to the Pittsburgh Penguins, as Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. But the latest indication is that the Penguins have no small task in front of them.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reported Monday that the Hurricanes are so serious about holding onto the 26-year-old, that team general manager Ron Francis reportedly called Staal to reassure him that the rumors are false. That came after the following admission, per Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer:

Does this mean any hopes of acquiring Staal for the Penguins—or anyone else—are over? Perhaps not, but it does indicate that teams have their work cut out for them.

And rightfully so. Staal has seen incredible struggles this season with only three goals and 11 assists in 22 games, but has more than proved his worth with four 20-goal seasons in his career.

Staal hasn't reached the level in Carolina that many expected of him when he showed up before the 2012-13 season, but the Hurricanes themselves haven't turned much of a corner for him to break out. With that in mind, the nucleus of a contending team is there with star goaltender Cam Ward and a number of talented forwards.

Dion Phaneuf

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

One of the most popular defensemen in the NHL is having his name pop up in trade talks entering the deadline, as Dreger reported on NBC Sports Network that offers have been coming in for Dion Phaneuf, per Mark Easson of MyNHLTradeRumors.com:

Phaneuf has done well to reaffirm his place as an offensive-minded blue-liner over the season, notching a whopping 20 assists along with two goals this far in 2014-15. But it's a constant question as to whether he's the guy to be the Maple Leafs' No. 1 defenseman (and captain) and take them to the promised land.

With that in mind, there's no shortage of playoff-contending teams with a need at the blue line—like the Detroit Red Wings, or Dallas Stars—who could ideally make a play for Phaneuf to bolster their defense before a potential playoff run.

The business doesn't make the human element any easier, as Phaneuf explained to TSN's Mark Masters:

It may be fair to question whether Phaneuf is the right fit long term in Toronto, but there's no questioning his ability to contribute to an offense. The 29-year-old has logged six 10-goal campaigns in his career, with 277 career assists to along with them.

Whether Phaneuf is moved at the deadline or not, the market will remain warm for him simply due to his value.