NHL Trade Deadline 2017: Date, End Time, Top Rumors and Speculation

Hockey fans have not had to wait for the trade deadline for big deals to take place.

The Washington Capitals, who have been tormented by their past playoff failures, made a big move Monday night when they acquired prized defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues.

Shattenkirk is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season, and the Caps have no assurances at this point that he will stay with them for the long haul. However, Shattenkirk is a major offensive force, as he has 11 goals and 31 assists this season. 

The Caps also acquired minor league goalie Pheonix Copley in the deal and gave up forwards Zach Sanford and Brad Malone, their first-round selection in the 2017 NHL draft and a conditional draft pick.

The Caps followed the lead of the Minnesota Wild, who strengthened themselves by trading for Martin Hanzal of the Arizona Coyotes.

There are still more deals to be made before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are fighting for a playoff spot this year, and they figure to remain in the fight until the last day of the season. The Leafs have gotten huge lifts this season from young stars Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Connor Brown, but head coach Mike Babcock could see some additional help coming from the Detroit Red Wings, his former team.

Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet said that the Leafs have an interest in Wings forward Riley Sheahan (h/t Brendan Savage of MLive.com). 

Sheahan has had a brutal season with no goals and just nine assists in 58 games, but he had 27 goals in the previous two seasons, and Babcock is familiar with him. Kypreos believes that Sheahan could cost the Maple Leafs a potential first-round draft choice.

The Red Wings, who are in last place in the Eastern Conference, are in sell mode. They traded defenseman Brendan Smith to the New York Rangers Tuesday for two draft picks.

The Maple Leafs had been in pursuit of Smith, who will be a free agent at the end of the year, but the Rangers acted quickly.

The Pittsburgh Penguins could also make a move involving goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Matt Murray established himself as the team's No. 1 goalie during last year's Stanley Cup run, so the Penguins may be willing to deal him.

Kypreos said that the Calgary Flames have been "kicking the tires" on a potential deal for Fleury (h/t Luke Fox of Sportsnet).

While the Penguins may ask a lot for Fleury, the Flames could use an upgrade at the goaltending spot if they are going to cement their playoff position. Calgary is in the top wild-card position in the Western Conference with 70 points.

Thomas Vanek of the Red Wings could also be on the move since Detroit is all but out of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Vanek told Ansar Khan of MLive.com that he would not be surprised if the Red Wings traded him to a playoff contender.

"Guys get moved all the time and I've been through it," Vanek said. "So again, I won't be surprised either way. Would I be shocked if I'm going somewhere else? Not at all. Would I be shocked if I stayed? No, because even though the chances are slim, you just never know."