NHL Trade Rumors: Brad Richards, Jason Spezza and Latest NHL Trade Buzz

NHL Trade Rumors are only gaining steam as the Feb. 28 trade deadline inches closer.

As teams like Vancouver have started to separate themselves in the West and Ontario's hockey teams continue to flounder in the East, the list of players who will be available for a trade is expected to grow.

Two of the more interesting names floating around will be Dallas' Brad Richards and Ottawa's Jason Spezza, although talk on both have cooled considerably in recent weeks.

Read on for more information about some trade rumors.

Brad Richards, C, Dallas

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 05: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates up the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 5, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Stars defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

With Richards playing well and the Stars' leading their division, the possible trade talks involving Richards have ceased. But, there is still the issue of Richards' expiring contract and his impending status as an unrestricted free agent. Of course, if the Stars continue to play well, he won't be going anywhere. But if the Stars falter, then the debate of whether or not to trade him will spark up again.

Jason Spezza, C, Ottawa

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OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 19: Jason Spezza #19 of the Ottawa Senators gets hooked up by Brooks Laich #21 of the Washington Capitals while trying to pick up a loose puck at the side of the net in a game at Scotiabank Place on December 19, 2010 in Ottawa, Cana

Spezza has had an injury-plagued season for Ottawa, and while he is not being blamed for the Sens' struggles as he has in the past, he's still a big cap hit for Ottawa. The shoulder injury looks like it will keep him out around a month, according to the Ottawa Citizen, but the Senators need to do something. He may not be able to be moved this year, but expect the Senators to possibly take calls in the offseason.

Jarome Iginla, RW, Calgary

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 23: Right wing Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames bleeds after a fight against Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on December 23, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Iginla is the highest profile Calgary Flame who has been under press scrutiny this season about a possible trade. The new Flames brain trust, led by new GM Jay Feaster, has publicly said that Iginla isn't going anywhere. Although many media members are perplexed why Iginla hasn't been or won't be dealt, at least this season.

Mike Commodore, D, Columbus

Dale MacMillan/Getty Images

EDMONTON, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Mike Commodore #22 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 16, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

Commodore is supposedly unhappy in Columbus, and according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, has officially asked for a trade. Commodore's situation is tough because he has a good-sized cap hit and is a defensive defenseman, so it will hard for the Blue Jackets to move him.

"Arniel doesn't want to play me," Commodore told the Columbus media this week. "Obviously, he doesn't want to play me. After wins, after losses it doesn't matter. Obviously, I'm the seventh guy in his mind."

Portzline also wrote Columbus could put Commodore on waivers and stick him in the minors to clear his roster spot and cap space, which is what the Blue Jackets did today.

Marc-Andre Bergeron, D, Tampa Bay

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 24: Marc-Andre Bergeron #47 of the Montreal Canadiens handles the puck against Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 24

Bergeron was signed by Tampa Bay recently, but he's on waivers. And according to the Columbus Dispatch, could very well be heading to Columbus. It's an interesting case because the Blue Jackets didn't show interest in him earlier in the season, but at a cheap price might be willing to make a place for him. Considering Columbus' need for an offensive defenseman, it could be a worth-while process as well.

Jamie Langenbrunner, RW, New Jersey

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 31: Jamie Langenbrunner #15 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Prudential Center on December 31, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Langenbrunner was one of the Devils who's been tied to trade rumors all season, but according to a report in the New York Post, he could be on the move soon. Mark Everson wrote today that the Devils might be thinking more about asking Langenbrunner to move his no-trade clause. The story also says that San Jose, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Boston and Washington could be among those interested.

Marc Savard, C, Boston

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 27: Stephen Weiss #9 of the Florida Panthers and Marc Savard #91 of the Boston Bruins skate for control of the puck on December 27, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Bruins defeated the Panthers 3-2 in a shoot

Savard has been linked to many trade rumors over his career in Boston, but there was an interesting trade rumor that came out recently. There was supposedly a rumored trade that would've sent Savard to Calgary for Robyn Reghyr. It was a trade that apparently blew up the internet before Jimmy Murphy of ESPNBoston.com debunked the rumor on Twitter.

Mike Fisher, C, Ottawa

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 23: Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators pokes the puck away from Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Fisher has had a disappointing season in a year of disappointing seasons for Ottawa. There have been rumored deals and firings for weeks now, but nothing has really happened yet. According to a report in the Ottawa Sun however, no one except for young defenseman Erik Karlsson is safe on the roster. The report says that the Senators haven't had any takers and while players like Fisher could get interest, it seems like empty threats from the front office.

Francois Beauchemin, D, Toronto

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 30: Francois Beauchemin #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs tries to elude the checking of Derek Brassard #16 of the Columbus Blue Jackets in a game on December 30, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Blue Jackets

Beauchemin's name has come up multiple times over the last couple of weeks, but nothing concrete had come up until a rumored trade with San Jose that would send Beauchemin west for Devin Setoguchi. It would've fit perfectly for both sides.

If it were true.

Brian Burke publicly stated the rumored trade was a lie and was never discussed, according to Darren Dreger on Twitter. San Jose is still the best fit for Beauchemin, but the rumored trade won't happen, at least not now.

Brad Boyes, C, St. Louis

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 16: Brad Boyes #22 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot on goal against the Los Angeles Kings at the Scottrade Center on December 16, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Blues defeated the Kings 6-4. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty

The rumors started this week that Boyes could be a trade candidate, and according to some reports, he could be heading to Toronto.

Canoe.ca reported that the Maple Leafs are interested in Boyes and could send Tyler Bozak and John Mitchell back to St. Louis in return. Of course, the Maple Leafs would have interest in a top-six forward and Boyes would fit that title, but the Leafs might want to hold off and make a run at Brad Richards either via trade or free agency instead.