Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes: What Names Are Involved in Trade Talk?

Now that the possibility of acquiring sniper Ilya Kovalchuk is no longer, teams looking to add some scoring will search for definitely less costly and surely less talented alternatives. Two teams with players that fit the bill are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes.

The trade speculation surrounding 29-year-old F Alexei Ponikarovsky of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been there since the horrid start to the season and is nothing new for this soon-to-be UFA.

Though after GM Brian Burke pulled the trigger on a seven player deal with Calgary Sunday, there may be a lot more validity to the rumors.

It’s a similar situation with Carolina who had a less than stellar performance this season due in good part to injuries.

Hurricane’s 37-year-old F Ray Whitney has been productive, scoring 16 goals adding 25 assists for 41 points in 54 games.

Whitney is a UFA at the end of the season and could be the piece of the puzzle that gets a team over the hump through the last part of the season and eventually in the playoffs.

Kevin Allen said through his twitter said that Pittsburgh is not involved in any dealing with either player yet. But Pittsburgh is a team that may be looking to bolster their roster and keep up with the Jones’ in the Eastern conference.

Most likely these players will draw at best a second round draft choice for their services over the rest of the season.

Darren Dreger reported via twitter said that the interest in Ponikarovsky is heating up and that at least 10 teams are involved but the deal may not go through until around the trade deadline of March 3.

Buffalo may be a team in the hunt for some added scoring as well. With a good young forward Zack Kassian their 2009 first round pick and their 2008 first rounder defenseman Tyler Myers showing such promise, they could likely give up a second rounder for either player.

The Philadelphia Flyers may be looking for a player as well as they were right in the hunt for newly acquired New Jersey Devil Kovalchuk, who they obviously missed out on.

A lot was expected of the Flyers this year, and they have shown sparks of it yet sit on the cusp of the playoff picture.

Another Leaf player who could be involved in a trade could be F Lee Stempniak, who has shown promise at moments but has yet to score consistently which is what he was brought to Toronto to do.

With a new team and surroundings comes renewed confidence and Stempniak could use that though he would most likely be just a rental player.

Another Hurricane that could be on the move could be 35-year-old C Stephane Yelle who has been known for his shut down ability and solid faceoff skills.

32-year-old Hurricane C Matt Cullen’s name maybe mentioned as well, as he has 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 56 games.

Any of these teams along with a few in the West, I would think the Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators could be the new home at least for the rest of the season for any of these soon to be UFA’s.