NHL Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the Teams Most Likely to Make a Trade
NHL trade rumors continue to heat up and continue to swirl around specific players and teams as the season rolls on towards the new year.
That means the likelihood of a trade continues to go up, and expect the number of trades to go up and the talks to become more serious as the deadline looms.
We have an idea now of who will be sellers and who will be buyers at the deadline. But a lot can still happen between now and then.
With that in mind, here is the likelihood of each NHL team to make a move.
30) Detroit Red Wings
1 of 30
Odds: 5 percent
The best team in hockey once again has a mostly healthy lineup and a good mix of veterans and young players.
Detroit doesn't have a glaring hole in the lineup and the Wings do have depth in the organization, so any move would be a depth move to just strengthen the fort.
29) Philadelphia Flyers
2 of 30
Odds: 5 percent
Another team with not a lot of glaring holes and no desperate needs to tinker with the roster.
Philadelphia is also hampered by the salary cap, and so any move the Flyers make would be to clear some space, like trading Michael Leighton or Nik Zherdev.
Perhaps an extra winger might be on the list, but I'd doubt it.
28) Edmonton Oilers
3 of 30
Odds: 8 percent
This is an extremely low ranking for a rebuilding team. But a huge chunk of the roster is young talent the Oilers wouldn't want to part with, and the higher-priced veteran talent is not lighting up the phone lines in Edmonton.
The Oilers have needs, but they're not actively taking calls, it would seem. Of course, if Steve Tambellini could get anyone to take Sheldon Souray's contract, that might register as a magic act.
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27) New Jersey Devils
4 of 30
Odds: 10 percent
The Devils are low on this list because most of the assets are locked in with big contracts and no movement clauses, which makes it very hard to move any big players.
You also get the feeling that Lou Lamoriello and the rest of the Devils' front office doesn't believe the season can't be salvaged yet. The rest of the hockey world might feel that way, but the front office doesn't.
26) Pittsburgh Penguins
5 of 30
Odds: 10 percent
The hottest team in the sport and, in terms of the league standings, the best team in the sport.
But Pittsburgh has been known to tinker with the lineup and the roster at the trade deadline under Ray Shero, and the Penguins might be looking for a winger down the line.
Of course, a lot of that will also depend on the timetable of Jordan Staal and whether he will be returning sooner or later.
25) Anaheim Ducks
6 of 30
Odds: 10 percent
Like the Oilers, this team is sort of in the middle in that there haven't been a bunch of rumors involving the Ducks and also they do not have a bunch of tradable assets that other teams would want.
I wouldn't think any teams will be lining up around the corner to take Jason Blake's contract and the cap hit that comes with it. I doubt Teemu Selanne will be leaving anytime soon, either.
24) Florida Panthers
7 of 30
Odds: 10-12 percent
With Nathan Horton already off in Boston, Bryan McCabe working on an extension and Tomas Vokoun having a no-trade clause, the Panthers don't have a lot to deal with unless a team comes calling about Steven Reinprecht, Radek Dvorak and Marty Reasoner.
With the Panthers struggling, they won't be taking any big players in as well.
23) Carolina Hurricanes
8 of 30
Odds 12-14 percent
The Hurricanes have already made one move this season, acquiring Ian White and Brett Sutter from the Calgary Flames. Carolina has a couple of veteran pieces in Joe Corvo and Sergei Samsonov, but not much else.
Like many of these other teams, the Hurricanes are determined to go with their young talent and won't be parting with that anytime soon unless things change in the standings. Even then, players like Brandon Sutter, Jeff Skinner and others won't be giving up their spots.
22) Buffalo Sabres
9 of 30
Odds: 15-19 percent
The Sabres need an offensive punch up front and have struggled scoring goals and playing well in front of Ryan Miller.
Craig Rivet is supposedly available and could be had, so the Sabres could be in the market for a defenseman or a forward who can score.
However, the Sabres have been playing better as of late and could be reluctant to pull the trigger on any trade.
21) Nashville Predators
10 of 30
Odds: 20 percent
The Predators are eternally searching for offense and this year is no different. But the Predators also have a plan and develop their young prospects relatively well.
With the economic situation the way it is, the Preds might be gun-shy to trade away prospects for an offensive player. Plus Nashville always seems to play well and perform under Barry Trotz anyway.
So any trade Nashville makes will probably be small and made at the last minute, if at all.
20) Minnesota Wild
11 of 30
Odds: 20 percent
Like Nashville, the Wild are constantly wanting for offensive punch. But like Nashville, the Wild are cautious of their young players.
Plus, Minnesota is most successful when it plays a smothering, defensive style that fits former head coach Jacques Lemaire and makes the goalie rotation look very good and very solid.
Minnesota is apparently willing to sell on Antti Miettinen, Andrew Brunette and Cam Barker, but they're also very reluctant to pull the trigger on deals.
19) Atlanta Thrashers
12 of 30
Odds: 20-25 percent
The Thrashers have a bunch of young talent that is performing well and Atlanta is weary, to say the least, to move Byfuglien, Bergfors, Bogosian, Enstrom, etc. All those players are part of the solid young core being built in front of what resembles the fan base in Atlanta.
But the franchise has a history of going for it, as they did once in 2007, when the team traded for Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik. The assets they gave up set the franchise back even further.
What the Thrashers will do will depend on where they are in February.
18) Chicago Blackhawks
13 of 30
Odds: 25 percent
The Blackhawks are in a precarious position. Chicago is not as strong as it has been in recent years and has some holes to fill, especially on the back end and in the forward corps for depth.
But the Blackhawks are in salary cap hell and really don't have the flexibility or the assets to make a move without putting the team in a bigger hole than it is already.
Chicago just may have to go forward as is, so to speak.
17) Washington Capitals
14 of 30
Odds: 25-30 percent
The Capitals are more willing than other teams to make a move to land a second-line center because of the cap room the team has, the prospects they can offer and the talent they have around any acquisition.
Washington has already made one move to bring in Scott Hannan and might be looking for more in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.
But whether the Capitals decide to make a move will depend on how the team responds during this streak.
16) Colorado Avalanche
15 of 30
Odds: 25-35 percent
Colorado is an up-and-down case. The Avalanche have been very hot, then very cold, and now are playing better again.
The Avalanche is one of the better offensive clubs in the league, but the goaltending and defense, so good last year, has struggled mightily this season.
If Colorado decides to make a move, it will definitely be for a defenseman who can stabilize the back end.
15) Phoenix Coyotes
16 of 30
Odds: 30-35 percent
After the early-season struggles, the Coyotes are playing well once again. But the Coyotes are still offensively challenged and would take help on the front end.
They have a bunch of big-time offensive prospects still sitting in AHL in San Antonio, and I doubt they would be willing to give them up for an offensive veteran.
If the Coyotes do make a move, it'll be on their terms and for a player who also fits well into their system.
14) Columbus Blue Jackets
17 of 30
Odds: 35-38 percent
The Blue Jackets are sitting right in the gray area as it stands in the Western Conference playoff race. Columbus is currently sitting outside the top eight in the West, but close enough to still be in the race.
If the Blue Jackets make a move, it would most definitely be for an offensive defenseman, which the Jackets desperately need.
But the fact that the organization passed on Marc-Andre Bergeron is a sign that the Jackets are either willing to wait or won't mortgage the future.
13) Vancouver Canucks
18 of 30
Odds: 40 percent
Expect the Canucks to be at least asking around and dangling Kevin Bieksa as a trade chip. With Sami Salo apparently starting to skate and working his way back, Bieksa could very well become expendable once again.
If he is moved, he'll be moved for either a bottom six forward or defensive depth. But Bieksa won't be going anywhere unless the Canucks are assured that Salo will play this season and contribute.
12) St. Louis Blues
19 of 30
Odds: 45 percent
St. Louis desperately needs a forward, not only to help support a struggling and sinking offense, but also just so coach Davis Payne can throw a healthy body out there.
The injuries have piled up and the strong start of the Blues has dissolved pretty quickly. The Blues have been tied to a number of forwards including Boston's Michael Ryder, but what will the Blues be willing to take in salary and give up in prospects?
11) New York Rangers
20 of 30
Odds: 45 percent
The Rangers are in the interesting situation of needing a playmaking center to play wingman for Marian Gaborik, yet still in relatively good shape in the East despite a rash of injuries.
They're getting Chris Drury back soon and Vinny Prospal might still be on the way, but the rumors are that the Rangers are very, very interested in Dallas' Brad Richards and could still make a push for him.
The question will be if the Rangers would be willing to part with what it might take to land him.
10) Boston Bruins
21 of 30
Odds: 45-50 percent
Dealing Marco Sturm to Los Angeles and taking his cap hit off the books definitely helps the Bruins relieve some of the enormous salary cap pressure the organization is facing.
But truth be told, the Bruins will still probably make a move and it'll most likely involve Michael Ryder and his $4 million cap hit to take even more pressure off.
Anything they can get back for Ryder or anyone they move at this point would be a plus.
9) Montreal Canadiens
22 of 30
Odds: 50 percent
Montreal lost Andrei Markov, but has been playing relatively well on defense and Carey Price looks like the goaltending savior once again.
But the Canadiens still would like some defensive depth or, more likely, a forward who gives them options and will help a dismal power play.
No names have been linked to Montreal yet, but there have been rumors and rumblings about possibly bringing Alexei Kovalev back to La Belle Province.
8) Tampa Bay Lightning
23 of 30
Odds: 50-52 percent
During the Canucks-Lightning broadcast on the CBC Saturday Night, analyst (and former Lightning goaltender) Kevin Weekes described the Bolts' goaltending tandem as good enough for the AHL.
That won't cut it for a team that has playoff aspirations and one of the best young players in the game.
If Tampa hangs around and is in the playoff race, expect them to make a play for a cheap, veteran goalie that will stabilize the net and the defense.
7) Calgary Flames
24 of 30
Odds: 55 percent
The Flames are in the dubious position of being last in the West, but they still sit in the playoff race because of how tightly-packed the West is.
But as the bunch begins to spread out, if Calgary doesn't make a move, then there might be enormous pressure to be sellers and to possibly begin a rebuild.
And that will all start with what Calgary ultimately decides to do with Jarome Iginla. From there, the other dominoes will fall as such.
6) New York Islanders
25 of 30
Odds: 60 percent
The only team that can truly be labeled as a seller, but there's not much to sell right now. Dwayne Roloson and James Wisniewski will be the only desirable pieces the Islanders have unless they want to sell high and part with Matt Moulson.
Doug Weight and Jon Sim could be veteran players who get moved to a team for depth, grit and/or veteran leadership, but there's been no talk about them. Expect the Islanders to be very big sellers.
5) Ottawa Senators
26 of 30
Odds: 60-63 percent
The team can't score, the stands are starting to become empty, the fan base is disgruntled, the coach is walking on eggshells, the general manager is under fire and the star (or star in his own mind now) feels he's being blamed for everything.
It's devolved into chaos in the Capital Region, and everyone inside the hockey world says a big move is coming and soon.
Whether that means trading a Alexei Kovalev or a Jason Spezza, or possibly a firing of some sort, there will be a lot of eyes on Ottawa in the near future.
4) San Jose Sharks
27 of 30
Odds: 60-65 percent
The Sharks will be buyers, there's no doubting that unless something drastic happens.
But it's the fact that the Sharks will be in such a desperate position to deal for a defenseman (because all the rumors and reports say they will be targeting a defenseman) that's so surprising given the magnitude of talent and the usual solid foundation this franchise has enjoyed recently.
It's a shocking off-year in San Jose and expect the Sharks to move quickly.
3) Dallas Stars
28 of 30
Odds: 65-66 percent
We've all heard the rumors surrounding a certain UFA first-line center that will be on the open market July 1 and how the Stars need to make a decision on said center, whether to trade him or not.
Yes, the rumor mill is still buzzing about Brad Richards, but whether or not the Stars fall out of contention will decide whether he's moved or not.
Truth is, the Stars might be active regardless, as possibly buyers as well at the deadline.
2) Los Angeles Kings
29 of 30
Odds: 65-70 percent
The Kings finally landed a forward in Marco Sturm, but I'm guessing that unless he goes off and returns to his San Jose form, that it won't be the only move Los Angeles makes.
They're not going to mortgage the future, but they feel they're close and still want a top-six forward. They're going to be very active and really push for a offensive forward.
1) Toronto Maple Leafs
30 of 30
Odds: 70-75 percent
The Maple Leafs will be the most active team, whether it will be as a seller or a buyer. They're still expected to be in on Richards, while Mike Komisarek or Francois Beauchemin could be had for a price.
Toronto wants a No. 1 center but wouldn't turn it's back on anyone who can score a goal. Plus there's the issue of a certain defenseman. I think his name is Kaberle.
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