NHL Rumors: Breaking Down Hottest Trade Chatter Before Deadline

Monday afternoon marks the NHL's trade deadline, and it could be a chaotic day, given the league's parity heading into the playoffs. 

Although 18 teams post positive goal differentials, none boast a mark higher than plus-40. Hockey always produces wild postseasons, and another one looks likely without any clear favorites on the ice.

A move or two could make the difference for a team looking to rise to the top or sneak into the playoffs. As the 3 p.m. ET deadline approaches, contenders are exploring tweaks while pretenders are pawning off veterans.

Here's a look at the rumor mill as the trade window closes.

Ottawa Senators

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Although the Ottawa Senators have won their last five games, they still trail the Boston Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff bid. Do they try to parlay their hot streak into the postseason or sell off parts anyway?

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, they are fielding inquiries on Eric Gryba, Patrick Wiercioch and Chris Phillips.

Phillips, 36, hasn’t made much of a dent with three points on three assists. Gryba also has yet to score a goal this season, and only Phillips has a worse rating of unblocked shot attempts on the ice. Neither defenseman has offered much defense this season.

Wiercioch, on the other hand, has proved far more efficient, topping the team leaderboard in net unblocked shot attempts. The 24-year-old would make a nice short- or long-term boost. 

As for the last part of Drager’s tweet, the New York Rangers are reportedly close to a four-year extension with Mats Zuccarello, as reported by Pat Leonard of New York's Daily News. New York also acquired Keith Yandle, a move that could fuel interest in Ottawa’s defenders as a consolation prize.

Alexander Semin

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Once a top-shelf scorer, Alexander Semin is now a liability whom the Carolina Hurricanes are trying to dump before the deadline.

The 30-year-old right winger, who tallied 40 goals during the 2009-10 season, has faltered considerably with two goals and a 3.6 shooting percentage. Declining earlier than expected, Semin will earn $7 million over each of the next three years, per Spotrac. 

Given his eye-sore contract as Carolina drowns near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the club is desperate to clear his dead weight from its books. According to David Pagnotta of TheFourthPeriod.com, the Hurricanes will pay for him to play elsewhere.

Veterans receiving top dollar to regress typically don't generate much buzz, but Semin represents an intriguing buy-low opportunity if Carolina picks up the tab. He is currently saddled with his first negative plus/minus rating (minus-10) since 2007-08. Despite his scoring drought, he places fifth on the team with 51.8 shot attempts per 60 minutes.

More ice time on a different club should stave off his downfall. It all depends on Carolina's definition of "significant portion."

Chris Stewart

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The Buffalo Sabres currently wield 43 points, and no other team in the East holds fewer than 55. They're a prime candidate to unload some mid-level players at the deadline, with Chris Stewart frequently popping up on the hot stove.

While he has netted an atrocious minus-30 rating for the decrepit Sabres, the 27-year-old has auditioned for a brighter opportunity with 11 goals and 14 assists. He told The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington that he's eager for a fresh start.

He might not get that chance if Buffalo sticks to the asking price relayed by Big 550 KTRS host Andy Strickland.

On Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Antoine Vermette from the Arizona Coyotes, removing another option from the market. ESPN's Pierre LeBrun said this will compel the Boston Bruins to look closer into Stewart.

Landing Stewart would allow a general manager to look proactive, but he's certainly not a game-changing talent who will alter a team's fortunes. While on the ice, Stewart has a minus-28.15 net rating in shot attempts per 60 minutes. Nobody possesses a positive mark, but Stewart sports the team's fifth-worst clip.

Buffalo will have to ease its demands in order to make something work.

All advanced stats courtesy of NHL.com.