NHL Trade Rumors: 20 Players That Need a New Home
NHL trade rumors continue to buzz around some of the biggest players in the game today.
Nothing will happen in the immediate future because of the NHL's annual holiday roster freeze, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning. It didn't even stop Lou Lamoriello from firing yet another coach.
Names like Jarome Iginla and Martin Brodeur have even been mentioned in trade rumors, wacky enough as that is, and there are media members saying out loud that one of them could possibly happen.
So with that in mind and the holidays upon us, here are 20 players who need a new home.
20. Alex Tanguay, LW, Calgary
1 of 20
Odds of Moving: 10-15 percent
Teams Interested: St. Louis, Los Angeles
Tanguay is one of the few Flames forwards who has played well this season for the embattled club, and he's done a nice job in resurrecting his career to some extent. That being said, he has a no-trade clause. In the end, a team looking for one last piece or extra punch to make the playoffs will take a look at Tanguay.
19. Jason Spezza, C, Ottawa
2 of 20
Odds of Moving: 10-15 percent
Teams Interested: New York Rangers
Spezza had been the scapegoat in past years for when the stuff hit the fan in Ottawa, but the problems with the Senators go much deeper than Spezza. That being said, his history of being defensively lax combined with his cap hit makes him hard to move. Even if that wasn't an issue, if Spezza goes, then it officially becomes a rebuild in Ottawa.
18. Cam Barker, D, Minnesota
3 of 20
Odds of Moving: 15-20 percent
Teams Interested: San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim
Barker landed in Minnesota because of a Chicago salary dump last season. But now he's been a salary anchor for the Wild, so much so that he's been a healthy scratch more and more often. That's acceptable for a rookie, but not a good sign for a young veteran who makes north of $3 million a year.
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17. Olli Jokinen, C, Calgary
4 of 20
Odds of Moving: 25-35 percent
Teams Interested: St. Louis, Los Angeles
Jokinen's first tour of duty in Calgary was forgettable. Is it any surprise the second one hasn't worked out either? He has a no-trade clause and while his $3 million cap hit is not as bad it was last year, it's still tough to move for someone who hasn't performed since leaving Florida.
16. Tim Connolly, C, Buffalo
5 of 20
Odds of Moving: 25-35 percent
Teams Interested: Washington
Connolly's career in Buffalo has been riddled by injuries and missed expectations. He's been injury-prone his entire career and this year hasn't been any different, including a mysterious black eye that might somehow include a nightclub and Derek Roy. His playmaking style would be a good fit in Washington.
15. Jason Arnott, C, New Jersey
6 of 20
Odds of Moving: 30-35 percent
Teams Interested: Washington
The Capitals are looking for a second line center to help shoulder the load of their stars. Arnott is an expensive option with a no-trade clause, but he's shown the ability to be a good role player. But his second tour of duty in New Jersey has been a disaster, and there are reports about whether he'll be asked to waive his clause.
14. Michael Ryder, RW, Boston
7 of 20
Odds of Moving: 35 percent
Teams Interested: St. Louis
The Bruins would still like to move Ryder's contract ($4 million cap hit), but for someone of his skill set, that's a hefty price. That being said, St. Louis needs anyone who can score and might not have to give up too much.
13. Tomas Kaberle, D, Toronto
8 of 20
Odds of Moving: 35-37 percent
Teams Interested: Dallas, Columbus
Kaberle is a hired gun who would be a good fit for a team needing a boost on the power play. He's low on this list because there's been no sign that he'll be moved, only rumors and hearsay. It's becoming more and more likely he won't be moved, but you never know.
12. Mike Komisarek, D, Toronto
9 of 20
Odds of Moving: 35-37 percent
Teams Interested: San Jose
Komisarek has not been a good fit in Toronto. He's turnover prone and he doesn't have the speed to make up for his mistakes. But he'd be a good fit in a system where he doesn't have to be a shutdown guy. San Jose would be a good fit, although his cap hit is a big issue.
11. James Wisniewski, D, New York Islanders
10 of 20
Odds of Moving: 35-45 percent
Teams Interested: Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Colorado
Wisniewski might be making a run at Mike Sillinger's long resume. In his few years in the league, Wisniewski has already been a Blackhawk, a Duck and now an Islander. He's a solid defender who's wearing a letter on Long Island, and doesn't have a huge cap hit to boot, which makes him attractive to anyone needing defensive help.
10. Francois Beauchemin, D, Toronto
11 of 20
Odds of Moving: 40-45 percent
Teams Interested: Columbus, Los Angeles, San Jose
In terms of the Toronto defensemen, he's probably the most likely to be moved. He's relatively inexpensive, though his cap hit will scare some teams off, and he has worth both offensively and defensively. He's struggled in Toronto, and would work well in a system where he doesn't have to be the man.
9. Nikita Filatov, LW, Columbus
12 of 20
Odds of Moving: 40-45 percent
Teams Interested: New York Rangers
Filatov has all the talent in the world. But like another failed Columbus Russian prospect (Nik Zherdev), Filatov hasn't been able to stick in Columbus. First he was frustrated with Ken Hitchcock's system, now he's back in Syracuse. It might be time for Columbus to finally move on.
8. Niclas Bergfors, RW, Atlanta
13 of 20
Odds of Moving: 45 percent
Teams Interested: St. Louis
Bergfors is a very young winger who the Thrashers got from New Jersey in the Ilya Kovalchuk deal. But with the Thrashers playing so well recently, Bergfors has become a healthy scratch and the Thrashers have made it known he's available. If that turns out to be true, they'll be a lot of suitors for the young winger.
7. Kevin Bieksa, D, Vancouver
14 of 20
Odds of Moving: 45 percent
Teams Interested: Columbus, Ottawa
Bieksa has been rumored in trade deals all year, and his status is still very much up in the air. A lot will depend on whether Sami Salo returns and how effective he can be. If Salo can play well, then Bieksa (who's been the scapegoat on defense from parts of the fan base) is as good as gone.
6. Dustin Penner, LW, Edmonton
15 of 20
Odds of Moving: 45 percent
Teams Interested: Montreal, Toronto
Penner has played well, but he hasn't lived up to the expectations of the offer sheet he signed a couple of years ago. That makes it very hard for him to be moved, but not if there are suitors who want him. Montreal would like a big left winger, while Toronto would take any offensive help.
5. Jarome Iginla, RW, Calgary
16 of 20
Odds of Moving: 45-50 percent
Teams Interested: Los Angeles, Montreal
It might finally be that Iginla is starting to get frustrated with the situation with the Flames. It can't all fall on him, but at the same time, I'm sure he doesn't like the forwards constantly being called out by the head coach. If he does go, then a few teams will be extremely aggressive in trying to acquire him.
4. Andrew Cogliano, C, Edmonton
17 of 20
Odds of Moving: 45-50 percent
Teams Interested: Ottawa
It's pretty obvious that there's a plan in Edmonton and Cogliano isn't part of it. The Oilers have tried him everywhere and his point totals have plummeted each year he's been in the league. Anything they can get for him would be a plus.
3. Tomas Vokoun, G, Florida
18 of 20
Odds of Moving: 45-50 percent
Teams Interested: Tampa Bay
The Lightning need a goaltender and Vokoun is a serviceable option. Vokoun would finally have a chance to play for a good team and be a part of a winner for the first time since he left Nashville. Of course, the matter of his cap hit and no-trade clause is an issue too.
2. Alexei Kovalev, RW, Ottawa
19 of 20
Odds of Moving: 50 percent
Teams Interested: St. Louis, Montreal
As he has everywhere else, Kovalev has checked out in Ottawa and has made himself the martyr for everything wrong in Ottawa. There's really not much else to do for the Senators but to cut ties with him. But it will be very hard to cut ties with Kovalev, especially with that contract.
1. Dwayne Roloson, G, New York Islanders
20 of 20
Odds of Moving: 50-60 percent
Teams Interested: Tampa Bay
Roloson is a hot commodity in the trade market: A veteran goalie with playoff and late-round experience who's relatively inexpensive. Although there's only expected to be one team in on any goaltender (Tampa Bay), at least for right now.
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