NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Hot Goalies Hitting the Market

It's getting closer and closer to the NHL trade deadline.

As we get nearer, the rumors about people being shopped around grow. 

There are some teams looking to get rid of excess weight in the means of a goaltender. 

As always in the NHL, teams are looking to get a proven goaltender before the deadline, and some teams might even take a gamble, hoping for the best. 

Here's the list of goaltenders with the possibility to be traded at the deadline.

NOTE—This list is not in any particular order.  

5. Ty Conklin

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 15: Goalie Ty Conklin #29 of the St. Louis Blues warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on November 15, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalacnhe defeated the Blues 6-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The former Red Wing has a new home in St. Louis, and it's not the exact fit as he had hoped. 

Conklin is currently the second string goalie behind Jaroslav Halak. 

The success of Halak makes trading Conklin ever more intriguing. They could get a decent, all-around, player for Conklin. 

Conklin isn't a huge cap hit at $1.3 million and had two above average stints with Pittsburg and Detroit.

Those two factors should, at least, make some GMs think about making a deal for the semi-proven goaltender with some playoff experience. 

4. Chris Mason

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NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 31: Chris Mason #50 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 31, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Thrashers 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Atlanta is actually relevant in the NHL today, and is this year's Phoenix Coyotes, surprising everyone with their 50 points and 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. 

The Thrasher's have made it well known that Ondrej Pavelec is their main man.

Mason has underachieved this year compared to what the Thrashers were thinking he'd do, but he still has somewhat of a decent trade value with a cap hit of only $1.85 million.

Maybe too much for some teams, but those looking for a veteran goalie who can be a solid number two, would go for Mason. 

3. Jonas Gustavsson

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TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 28: Jonas Gustavsson #50 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets set to face a shot in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes on December 28, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Toronto's second string goaltender pops out as a possible player to be considered for a trade because of the lack of production from Toronto this year and their need to get some players that would catapult their team into a playoff situation.

Toronto likes Jean-Sebastien Giguere and believes that he can be their goaltender, they just need the players around him to support him

Gustavsson has a low cap hit at $1.35 million and is the perfect goaltender to be molded by great coaches.

He's young and still has the potential. It's just not going to happen in Toronto.  

4. Jose Theodore

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 04: Jose Theodore #60 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 4, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Wild defeated the Devils 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Wild's Jose Thedore is a proven goaltender that has been with many respected teams including the Canadiens, Avalanche, and the Capitals.

He's 34 but a great veteran leader. 

With a small cap hit of $1.1 million, and the Wild already invested with more money to Josh Harding, I can see Theodore finding a new home soon. 

Many teams would love to have a proven, veteran, and very well-experienced playoff goalie on their team. 

The only question is whether teams would take the gamble, knowing his age, wondering if he's past his prime.

For the right price, I think so. 

5. Martin Biron

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 02: Martin Biron #43 of the New York Rangers tends net against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on December 2, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ranger's goaltender Biron has had his share of seasons played. Another veteran, but this time with only a medicre track record. 

Biron can be signed for under a million dollars, and you know what you're getting once you sign him. He has some playoff experience with about a .500 winning percentage.

It's not bad, but nothing to write home about.

Still some teams would enjoy his stay at their team. A team with an above average defense would make Biron thrive.

You get a decent goaltender that could possible surprise you. Teams could go for a guy like that.