NHL Trade Rumors: Top Pre-Deadline Buzz on Joffrey Lupul, Cam Atkinson and More

With playoff positioning tightening up in both conferences, the pressure is on many of the NHL's teams to make impactful moves prior to Monday's trade deadline.

The available assets may not exactly leap off the page, but there are plenty of players available who could add to a winning cause. None are likely to elevate another organization to unseen levels on their own, but sometimes all it takes is a slight tweak to put a team over the top.

As prospective playoff contenders search for ideal additions, here is a look at the hottest rumors surrounding some of the top pieces on the block.

Joffrey Lupul

As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their rebuild and the Boston Bruins cling to a playoff spot, there is seemingly an increasing likelihood that the divisional rivals decide to consummate a trade prior to the deadline.

The Leafs have forwards for sale, and it is no secret that the Bruins could use some help up front. According to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com, Boston is exploring the possibility of making a play for veteran winger Joffrey Lupul:

Lupul has plenty of offensive ability, but injuries have held him back in recent years. He has played in just 34 games this season, although he has still managed to put up 19 points. As tough as it may be to believe, the 31-year-old Leaf is just three seasons removed from a career year that saw him put up 67 points in 66 games.

If put with the right combination of linemates, Lupul can be an extremely effective player. The Bruins are searching for consistent lines right now, and adding Lupul to the mix could potentially help in a big way.

Based on recent comments from Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis, via Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Toronto is willing to play ball and continue making deals if they further help the rebuild.

"

If and when there are deals that make sense to us to bring in players, whether it's [through] free agency or trades, that will help us win and develop our team long-term, then we'll do it. But there isn't a time frame on it. You have to get value if you are going to move players. ... 

What I will say is nothing has really changed in what we are looking at and what we're prepared to do. We've developed a plan going forward. This goes back months.

"

The Leafs would almost certainly like to move Lupul due to the fact that he carries a $5.25 million cap hit through the 2017-18 season, per NHLNumbers.com. That means Toronto will likely have to eat part of his salary in order to make something happen.

Perhaps the Bruins will be reluctant to take on a player with that much term remaining, but they may be persuaded if it reduces the price of what it takes to land Lupul.

Cam Atkinson

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

After losing forward Patrick Kane to a fractured collarbone, it is expected that the Chicago Blackhawks will be aggressive leading up to the deadline. No available player will replace the ability that Kane brings to the table, but there is one intriguing option worth exploring.

According to Mark Lazerus of The Chicago Sun-Times, the Blackhawks are looking to make a play for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson:

Like Kane, the 5'8", 174-pond Atkinson is diminutive. He is also extremely speedy and crafty, although to a much lesser degree.

The 25-year-old American netted a career-high 21 goals last season, and he has scored 13 thus far in 2014-15. His future in Columbus is uncertain because he is set to hit restricted free agency, and if the Jackets decide they aren't interested in paying him, then it wouldn't be particularly shocking to see him move.

Chicago looks like an ideal landing spot due to its need for a player of Atkinson's ilk. The Blackhawks are already stacked with high-caliber forward talent, which means that Atkinson will have the chance to play alongside some offensively gifted guys.

There is no doubt Chicago needs to add some firepower with Kane out of the lineup, and Atkinson may just be the guy to provide it.

Antti Raanta

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There was a great deal of excitement surrounding Antti Raanta's NHL arrival last season after his emergence as an elite stopper in Finland. With the Blackhawks boasting a crazy amount of depth between the pipes, though, his days in Chicago could be numbered.

According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, the Blackhawks are willing to part with Raanta due to their preferring Scott Darling as Corey Crawford's backup:

Raanta has split the season between the NHL and AHL, and while his numbers in the minors are ordinary, he shone while up with the big club. The 25-year-old netminder boasts a 1.89 goals-against average and a robust .936 save percentage in 14 appearances.

With most teams seemingly getting away from spending big money on goalies, Raanta could be an answer for some organizations. He is signed through next season and set to make just $800,000, per NHLNumbers.com. That means there is very little risk involved with bringing him in.

The biggest question relates to what type of compensation Chicago is looking for. The Blackhawks could be trying to include him in a package for a rental player, or they could conceivably deal him for draft picks in an effort to replenish some of the assets they are sure to lose in other trades.

Having played in fewer than 40 games at the NHL level, Raanta is still somewhat of an enigma. There may not be a spot for him on the Blackhawks roster any longer, but it wouldn't be at all surprising to see another team swoop in in hopes of striking gold.

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