NHL Trade Rumors: Jonathan Bernier, Dion Phaneuf and More Buzz

This year's NHL trade deadline day has already seen a bevy of moves and buzz, but it may not be over yet, folks, as several exciting trade prospects remain on the market.

Let's take a look at some of the most intriguing players who could still be moved before the deadline.

Jonathan Bernier

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Jonathan Bernier, 26, isn't the NHL's best goalie. Not by a long shot. But he is a solid netminder, even if his 18-19-5 record suggests otherwise. And with the Toronto Maple Leafs fully committing to being sellers before the deadline, it's possible Bernier could be on the move.

Darren Dreger of TSN has more:

Translation: Blow us away with a deal and you can have him. But we're more than happy keeping him.

In 43 games this year, Bernier has a 2.72 goals-against average (33rd in the NHL) and a .915 save percentage (tied for 19th). It certainly hasn't been a great season for Bernier, though he is still young, and it's clear he has the talent in place to be much better. Plus, it doesn't help that the team in front of him hasn't been very good.

Bernier probably won't be heading anywhere on Monday. But for a team looking to either upgrade at goalie or push its current incumbent, he's certainly an intriguing player to consider. 

Antti Raanta 

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

We continue with the goalies and Antti Raanta, who was the Chicago Blackhawks' backup netminder before he was recently sent back down to the AHL in favor of Scott Darling. That had to be an indication to NHL teams around the league that the Blackhawks might be throwing in the towel on Raanta, at least for now, and he might be available in a trade.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN has more on that front:

Fitting into that narrative, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville denied any notion that the team was giving up on Raanta.

“Yes, absolutely,“ Quenneville told Scott Powers of ESPN when asked if Raanta still had a place within the organization. "We want him playing and get him a chance to go down there and play some games and get going and get a feeling of it as well.” 

Still, it's hard to ignore that actions speak louder than words. And the Blackhawks' actions have suggested that perhaps Raanta could be had for the right price. He's certainly played pretty well for the team this year, going 7-4-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, so the team could also simply want to get him more playing time. 

Either way, it seems unlikely he'll be heading anywhere. But teams would be wise to check on his availability nonetheless. 

Dion Phaneuf

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

Of all of the players rumored to be dealt before Monday's trade deadline, Dion Phaneuf was looking like the most likely to be moved early on Monday. According to Darren Dreger of TSN, multiple teams have interest:

But the Detroit Red Wings have emerged as the most likely suitor, per Ken Campbell of The Hockey News:

"

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings continue to negotiate a deal which would see captain Dion Phaneuf going to Detroit today, but the sticking point now appears to be Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith.

The possible deal would see the Leafs get Smith and forward Stephen Weiss in a deal for Phaneuf with the Red Wings assuming the remaining six years on Phaneuf’s deal at $7 million per season.

The talks, a source told thn.com, have been extensive over the past couple of hours.

"

But things took a turn later on Monday, per LeBrun:

Craig Custance of ESPN added the following:

And around and around we go.

Phaneuf, a defenseman, has three goals and 20 assists in 51 games this season. In a market saturated with defensemen, he's still a nice option for a contending team looking to bolster its blue line, even if the Red Wings are no longer that team. 

Of all the potential Maple Leafs players who could be moved, he's still the most likely to be dealt. But it sounds as though it is back to the drawing board for now for the Leafs in any Phaneuf deal.