NHL Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz Ahead of Deadline

Rise and shine. The NHL trade deadline is officially upon us, with Monday bringing the start of arguably the busiest trade deadline day in any of the major American sporting leagues.

Plenty of far-reaching moves have already been made regarding a handful of oft-rumored-about players, but the busiest time before the deadline looms. Finalized deals and reported agreements typically fly in left and right as the 3 p.m. ET deadline nears, and 2015 promises to be no different.

Dozens of players should be seeing a change of scenery Monday, and plenty of rumblings have rolled in over the weekend to help suggest who they might be. Here's a look at two of the hottest rumors entering deadline day.

Matt Beleskey

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The second-leading goal scorer on a division-leading team isn't a likely bet to be moved on deadline day, but the Anaheim Ducks apparently have no such reservations about Matt Beleskey.

Inquiries have come in for Beleskey, according to a report from TheFourthPeriod.com. The report states that while the Ducks "have been in negotiations" with Beleskey's agent, the team is also fielding calls from suitors. 

Not soon after, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun linked Beleskey to the Boston Bruins:

Anaheim has certainly benefited from Beleskey's play this season, as he's channeled the best performance of his seven-year career. His 21 goals are 10 more than any other season total he's tallied.

It's not far-fetched to wonder if his recent outburst will last, however. Those 21 goals account for 37.5 percent of the scores he's netted in his career, and he's been out since Feb. 15 with an injury.

The 26-year-old's output this season speaks for itself, but betting on him to continue it is quite the gamble. With the Ducks in position for a run at the Stanley Cup this season, they're scouring the trade market for possible improvements—with Beleskey on the block.

Marek Zidlicky

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

High hopes were bestowed upon Marek Zidlicky back in 2012 when the New Jersey Devils moved for him just before the trade deadline. But the Devils' resurgence hasn't followed, and Zidlicky could be out as a result.

Craig Custance of ESPN reported Sunday that Zidlicky's name was being floated around more so than ever, but the veteran defenseman will have his say in the matter:

Zidlicky has certainly earned the right to scout the market for the right landing spot. After bursting onto the scene in four seasons with the Nashville Predators, Zidlicky underwent big-time injury troubles from 2010-2013 before playing in all but one of the Devils' regular-season games in 2013-14.

With Zidlicky's durability not in question anymore, a Cup contender searching for upgrades in defense should be in hot pursuit of the out-of-favor Devils defenseman.