NHL Trade Rumors: Brent Seabrook, Chris Phillips and the Latest NHL Trade Buzz

NHL trade rumors have been heating up over the last few weeks, and I only expect them to get hotter as we get closer to the trade deadline, just a little more than a month away.

And while the two biggest names for most of the season probably won't be moving anywhere, it doesn't mean that other players won't be changing addresses come February 28. Already there have been a couple of moves made recently with some smaller-named players making deals, and other moves will be coming.

So here's the latest news surrounding players who could be on the move.

Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks is pursued by Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Staples Center on January 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Blackhawks defeated the Kings 4-3.

One year ago, it would've been close to impossible to even think about Seabrook getting traded. Anyway, he was one of the Blackhawks' top defensemen and a key part of Chicago's Stanley Cup team. But with the 'Hawks in salary cap trouble, there's interest in other teams regarding acquiring the defenseman, according to ChicagoNow.com.

The report stresses that Seabrook probably won't be traded, and the Blackhawks aren't exactly shopping him, but the fact that they're even listening or possibly listening is news.

Chris Phillips, D, Ottawa

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 02: Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks fires a slapshot past defender Chris Phillips #4 of the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on December 2, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty

The long-time Senators defenseman would probably prefer to stay and sign a long-term contract with Ottawa, being an unrestricted free agent after this season. But the contract talks have stalled and apparently the defenseman could be one of the pieces the Senators send off in a rebuild. According to Dallas Dave on Twitter, the Sharks are interested in Phillips. 

Francois Beauchemin, D, Toronto

Abelimages/Getty Images

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Phil Kessel #81, Francois Beauchemin #22 and Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate Phil Kessel goal against the St. Louis Blues during game action at the Air Canada Centre January 6, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, C

Beauchemin has been the hottest name in trade rumors surrounding the Maple Leafs recently and could possibly be the one Maple Leaf that does get moved. The Sharks have consistently been linked to Beauchemin, as have the Rangers, according to ESPN. Either one can realistically happen, especially since the Rangers cleared cap room.

Mikael Samuelsson, RW, Vancouver

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 11: Mikael Samuelsson #26 of the Vancouver Canucks sksmiles after a Vancouver goal during an NHL game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on January 11, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty I

What the Canucks do at the deadline still hinges on the fortunes and health of Sami Salo. And while the common belief was that defenseman Kevin Bieksa would be the one to go, his play of late will probably keep him around.

With that in mind, Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun suggested that Samuelsson, Torres and Keith Ballard could be the most likely ones to go to clear cap space:

"So if Salo returns from his Achilles injury, be it this month or next, there’s a strong possibility Samuelsson could be the player jettisoned to make room under the salary cap for the Finnish defenceman. Or it could be Torres, who missed practice Wednesday because of illness, as part of a combination of expendable depth players."

Clarke MacArthur, LW, Toronto

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 11: Clarke MacArthur #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates past a diving Dan Boyle #22 of the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion on January 11, 2011 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

MacArthur has gone from signing in September to becoming Toronto's leading scorer. With that in mind, the Maple Leafs and MacArthur are getting a lot of interest as it comes to trade rumors. Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun wrote this week that MacArthur has shown interest in staying in Toronto. MacArthur and his camp said they haven't talked about an extension, but he's said he'd like to stay. Toronto still could trade him, as he's going to be very valuable.

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

The dust has settled from the internet-fueled rumors of Savard heading to Calgary for defenseman Robyn Reghyr, but it still doesn't take away from the fact that Savard has been named in trade rumors again. Nothing is imminent, and the Bruins would like to keep him, but he does have a large cap hit and Boston would like to clear cap space somehow, whether it's Savard, Blake Wheeler or Michael Ryder.

Marian Gaborik, RW, New York Rangers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on January 5, 2011 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

It's hard to believe the Rangers would trade Gaborik, but he has been struggling. That led NY Post hockey writer and John Tortarella's arch nemesis, Larry Brooks, to write this week that the Rangers should listen to offers for the goal-scorer. It's interesting to think about someone like Gaborik on the move again, and considering his struggles this year, how much he would fetch. But Brooks was quick to point out the Rangers aren't actively shopping him.

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 still has two years at $4.2 million per year after this year, with a full no-movement clause this season and a limited no-trade clause the next two years (numbers via capgeek.com), so it would be hard for the Senators to move him. Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period wrote that Fisher could be on the move instead of a player like Jason Spezza because of Spezza's injury and what they can get back for Fisher.

Ales Hemsky, RW, Edmonton

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL, CANADA - DECEMBER 01: Mike Cammalleri #13 of the Montreal Canadiens and Ales Hemsky #83 of the Edmonton Oilers battle for position during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 1, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Oilers defeated the

Hemsky has not had a great season (yet he's going to the All-Star Game), but he's still very talented and could be a great piece in the right system. According to Bernstein, apparently he's been targeted by the Kings, with Wayne Simmonds heading to Edmonton in return. Hemsky hasn't been linked to too many trade rumors, and he's injury-prone on top of a big cap hit, so I'm not sure how much stock I put in that.

Jarkko Ruutu, F, Ottawa

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 13: Daniel Alfredsson #11 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his goal with teammates Jarkko Ruutu #73;Chris Phillips #4 and Mike Fisher #12 while Chris Thornburn #27 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates away dejectedly in a game at Scotia

Ruutu being shipped off from Ottawa would not be a blockbuster, but he's apparently another Senator who could be on the move, according to David Pagnotta's Twitter. Whether or not anyone would bite on a depth winger like Ruutu who brings grit, a veteran influence and pest-like qualities to a team with some offensive flash is yet to be seen, but apparently everything must go in Ottawa.