NHL Trade Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Chris Stewart, Andrew Ference and More

The NHL trade deadline arrives on March 2, and there are still a number of teams that could realistically take home the Stanley Cup.

The Nashville Predators, Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks have all played at an impressive level, but would anyone be that surprised if the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings or perhaps even the Los Angeles Kings got hot at playoff time and took home the title?

That is what makes this deadline so intriguing with a number of players available. A well-timed swap could bolster a roster enough heading into the postseason to change the entire playoff picture. 

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest buzz from around the league.

Chris Stewart 

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Craig Custance of ESPN The Magazine passed along an update on Chris Stewart:

The appeal of Stewart makes some sense. He is a 27-year-old winger who can provide some scoring punch and formidable passing to the offensive attack. He has 25 points on the season (11 goals and 14 assists) for the Buffalo Sabres and recently put two points on the board Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.

It has been a train wreck of a season for the Sabres, so it really should come as no surprise that they are looking to unload Stewart in an effort to rebuild with an eye toward the future.

Boston is only 21st in the league (as of Sunday) in goals per game, so adding some offense from Stewart would certainly help. It remains to be seen whether it pulls the trigger before the deadline.

Andrew Ference 

Andy Devlin/Getty Images

Darren Dreger of TSN noted that the Edmonton Oilers are fielding interest in Andrew Ference:

Like the Sabres, it may be time to look to the future for the Oilers. They have no chance at making the playoffs and will likely stick to rebuilding mode at the trade deadline. As Dreger mentioned, they will have to find an acceptable team for Ference if they are going to move him with the no-move clause, but playing for a contender could be an enticing option.

Interestingly, Ference has not been afraid to call out his current teammates this season, via Ryan Dadoun of Pro Hockey Talk:

"

Talking isn’t tough. It shouldn’t be much of a chore to come here and pay attention to what you’re supposed to do and work hard and have pride in being in the NHL and putting on a jersey. That should be the easy part. To come here and have to eke pride out of guys to get out there and pay attention and do details … it’s not right. … It’s 100% unacceptable.

"

Andy Devlin/Getty Images

That type of leadership and willingness to say the tough things would probably be appealing for playoff contenders. Throw in his physically tough defense, and Ference could be a real asset. 

Now all the Oilers have to do is find a team willing to make the swap and give up something of value in return to improve their future.

Edmonton Oilers 

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Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports noted the Oilers could be in the market for goalkeeping:

As mentioned, the Oilers are out of playoff contention, and they are 27th in the league (as of Sunday) in goals against per game. That is not anywhere near where the Oilers need to be next year and beyond if they hope to be a playoff team in the near future.

Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images

Ben Scrivens is 36th in the league in goals-against average in net, while Viktor Fasth is 44th. It really shouldn’t be that surprising that Edmonton is looking to improve between the net with those numbers.

Still, the Maple Leafs are only 25th in the league in goals against, so it’s not like they are tearing up the league defensively and in goal either. It remains to be seen whether that prevents the Oilers from pulling the trigger on any potential goalie trade with Toronto, but they need to improve somewhere moving into the future.

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