NHL Rumors: Final Look at Top Buzz Ahead of Trade Deadline

Monday is the end of the road for some NHL contenders. 

More than 20 teams are within reach of the postseason and perhaps much more, but it's time to put up or shut up. Those teams will either make a move and hope the chemistry and on-ice changes work, or stand pat and hope that continuity and perhaps improved play is enough to make a serious bid at the title.

It's quite a dilemma for each team as the 3 p.m. ET deadline nears. It's one thing to consider the short-term ramifications, but front offices must also weigh whether the risk now is worth additional cap restrictions in future years.

For observers, few things are more entertaining than this home stretch.

Marek Zidlicky to a Contender?

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Few players are lucky enough to hold all the chips when it comes to the trade deadline, but Marek Zidlicky does thanks to a no-trade clause.

At 38 years old, it's safe to presume that Zidlicky would shoot down a move to another middling team such as the New Jersey Devils (26-27-10).

A contender, though? That might do the trick, per Craig Custance of ESPN:

Zidlicky is still productive, scoring 23 points in 63 games this season. He's headed for free agency after the season, which makes him an obvious great value to a contender—a no-strings-attached contributor for a title push.

This also means the Devils likely want to get something out of his eventual departure, although they will have to do it on his terms.

As far as deadline storylines go, Zidlicky is one of the more important names to monitor.

Ottawa Senators, Sellers?

At 27-23-10 and sixth place in the Atlantic Division, the Ottawa Senators must decide whether to sell or stand pat and deal with whatever comes.

The allure of selling must be strong. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the rest of the league already views the team as sellers, with a strong level of interest in Eric Gryba, Patrick Wiercioch and Chris Phillips:

The 26-year-old Gryba is perhaps the most interesting name on the list. He's scored all of nine points this season, but at such a young age with a low cap hit, teams building for the future figure to show an obvious interest.

Then again, Wiercioch may give Gryba a run for his money in the potential suitors department. The Burnaby, British Columbia, native is two years younger and has scored a goal and six points this season—an overall package that can help on a rotational basis right away and also serve as a strong foundation for the future.

In all likelihood, it comes down to price. The Senators won their last five contests but still trail Boston in the postseason race. It's a precarious, perhaps purgatorial position for a team that needs direction.

How much others offer may decide that direction.

Carolina Hurricanes, Surefire Sellers

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Shocker. The Carolina Hurricanes want to unload unproductive players and bad contracts.

Unfortunately for Alexander Semin, he qualifies for check marks next to both factors on the list.

Look, the Hurricanes are 24-30-7 and eighth place in the Metropolitan Division. As obvious sellers, the front office at least needs to work on bettering the team for the future despite being put at a leverage disadvantage.

It should come as no shock, then, that the Hurricanes are willing to keep a chunk of Semin's cap hit if it means unloading him, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period:

Now 30, Semin's best days are behind him, with an 84-point outburst with Washington in the 2009-10 campaign as the high point of his playing career.

The former first-round pick has appeared in 37 games this year and scored just 14 points, way down even from his 42 points last season. Even worse, he's a $7 million cap hit every year through the 2017 season, per Spotrac.

Things are in transition in Carolina, despite the iffy situation as the deadline nears. So long as the front office can find a partner happy that it will not take on Semin’s entire lofty contract, the Hurricanes will look back on deadline day as a success.

Every little bit helps when it comes to a rebuild.

Stats and info courtesy of NHL.com unless otherwise specified.