NHL Trade Rumors: Chris Phillips, Zach Parise and the Latest Trade Buzz
NHL Trade Rumors are now becoming the main focus of the league, as the Trade Deadline is just a little more than a month away.
The rumors circling around Jarome Iginla and others have slowed to some extent, but more have picked up involving other players. The rumors continue to circle around both Ontario teams as they both sink in the standings, while Calgary could be in big trouble and the Islanders have already moved two of their movable assets in James Wisniewski and Dwayne Roloson.
Here's the updates on some more players who could be moving.
Chris Phillips, D, Ottawa
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For awhile, the assumption was that eventually, something would be worked out between the defenseman and pending unrestricted free agent that would keep Phillips in Ottawa. But his struggling play, combined with the team's on-ice struggles and public turmoil, has his future in the Capital Region very unclear as negotiations have not started on a new contract.
The Ottawa Sun reported Monday about Phillips hearing about the recent trade rumors. He does have a no-movement clause and can veto a trade, but with negotiations stalled, the rumors will continue. With that in mind, look for Colorado to possibly make a move for him.
Zach Parise, LW, New Jersey
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Parise been trying to come back from an injury that's kept him out for a large chunk of the season, but there's rumors that his time in New Jersey is coming to an end. Kevin Paul Dupont wrote in the Boston Globe that Parise has been unhappy and wants to leave the Devils. Obviously the Devils cannot trade him now, but Dupont writes that Parise might force the Devils to trade him like Phil Kessel was traded in 2009.
Kris Versteeg, LW, Toronto
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Versteeg was acquired by the Maple Leafs during the offseason to provide scoring punch, but as the Leafs continue to struggle, the rumors continue about what Leafs could be made available. According to some reports out of Toronto, there was a trade offered to Toronto involving Versteeg, and the feeling is now is that he can be had.
Pierre Lebrun of ESPN had the original report of the rumored Versteeg deal, while Damian Cox of the Toronto Star also reported that Versteeg could be available, saying teams in the Southeast Division might be interested in the forward.
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Clarke MacArthur, LW, Toronto
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Cox also intimated in the same report about Versteeg that MacArthur, the team's leading scorer, could also be available. He's a streaky scorer and has disappeared since his torrid start, but he'd still be an upgrade for some teams looking for an offensive upgrade.
I doubt a Los Angeles-type would buy high on him, but he might end up going to a Columbus or St. Louis looking for an offensive spark for relatively cheap.
David Booth, LW, Florida
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Booth is perhaps the most offensively talented player the Panthers have. But as Florida will probably miss the playoffs yet again, Booth's name might be talked about in trade rumors. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Harvey Fiatkov reported that it wouldn't be surprising to see Booth go on the trading block.
With that in mind, teams looking for a cheap boost might decide to take a run at Booth, including St. Louis or Nashville.
Kevin Bieksa, D, Vancouver
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It's been assumed all year, even before Sami Salo hurt himself, that Bieksa would be the likely candidate to move. That being said, Salo's injury has delayed things. And with the new report from the Vancouver Sun today that Salo might not play at all this season, the trade talks might cease completely.
If Salo doesn't play, then the Canucks wouldn't need to clear cap room, and Bieksa would be safe. He might have been safe anyway because of his play of late, as Keith Ballard was discussed in trade rumors. But with Bieksa playing well and the Canucks red hot, it doesn't look like Mike Gillis will rock the boat.
Brad Boyes, C, St. Louis
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It's hard to imagine the Blues wanting to trade any forward away right now, but the Blues definitely need front-line help and they'll have to give up something to get something. And there is a rumor from the blog The Fourth Period that Boyes would be a possible trade candidate, stating a needed change of scenery.
I don't know if I buy that right now, but I could see that if the Blues become sellers, then Boyes could be an option that could bring pieces back. Of course, it depends on how far away T.J. Oshie and others are from returning.
Mike Smith, G, Tampa Bay
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With Dwayne Roloson now heading south, the Lightning now have a logjam at goaltender, which means someone might have to be moved. The St. Petersburg Times reported that with Smith in the last year of his contract, he might be the candidate that could move. Of course this is all speculation at this point, but the fact that there wasn't any interest in Michael Leighton from Philadelphia does not bode well for a possible trade.
Niclas Bergfors, RW, Atlanta
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Bergfors has been in and out of the lineup in the last month or so, and it's become pretty clear that Bergfors can be had for a price. There hasn't been specific rumors or teams linked to him, but he's still a very young winger with great upside. Any team looking for offensive punch from a winger (St. Louis, Montreal, New York Rangers) could come calling about Bergfors.
Francois Beauchemin, D, Toronto
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Beauchemin looks like the most likely candidate to be moved out of Toronto, and he has a couple of suitors. According to reports, the Columbus Blue Jackets are officially out and no longer interested in Beauchemin. The team that still continues to come up with Beauchemin is San Jose.
The Sharks would be a great fit, as Beauchemin would add size, versatility and mobility to a depleted backline. Of course, the question is would the Sharks be able to clear the cap space to get him, but it looks like they are willing to do so.
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