NHL Trade Rumors: The Missing Piece On All 30 Teams
The NHL trading deadline is right around the corner and it figures to be an active one for many teams fighting for a playoff spot.
A number of teams appear to be a piece or two away from that coveted championship puzzle.
Big names including Brad Richards, Tomas Vokoun, Corey Stillman, Jarome Iginla and Tomas Kaberle have been thrown around in trade rumors in recent weeks.
Will the Philadelphia Flyers be able to acquire the final part that will push them over the edge? What other playoff contenders can change the course of their season with a big move?
New Jersey Devils: A Legitimate No. 1 Goaltender
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Fixing the New Jersey Devils starts in between the pipes. Martin Brodeuer's career is over. He is now one of, if not the worst starting goaltenders in the NHL. The Devils have a lot of underperforming talent on the blue line and up front, but absolutely nothing in net.
This issue is probably best addressed through the draft and not via trade because there are so few goalies on the trade market and plenty of teams shopping.
29. New York Islanders: New Management
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The New York Islanders have to prime candidate for relocation. It seems strange given all of the success this franchise has had over the years, but outside of John Tavares this organization has very little going for it.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs: Another Scoring Threat
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Phil Kessel is doing everything he was brought in to do. He just got picked to his first NHL All-Star Game having scored 16 goals this season. However, the Maple Leafs lack another legitimate threat to compliment their superstar.
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27. Ottawa Senators: Scoring
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The Senators have been a total flop this season. Help is needed all over the ice. They can't score and they can't keep the opposition off of the scoreboard.
26. Columbus Blue Jackets: Defense
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The Columbus Blue Jackets seemingly need help all over the ice. They have a pair of average goaltenders and a handful of decent playmakers up front but not much to speak of on the back end.
Columbus got off to a hot start and appeared to be ready to contend but their inconsistent blue line play has done them in.
25. Florida Panthers: Trade Tomas Vokoun and Corey Stillman
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If the Panthers are going to rebuild they need to completely dedicate themselves to that rebuilding effort.
They have one of the most talented goaltending prospects in the world in Jacob Markstrom and need to get as much value as they can out of Vokoun before it's too late.
Stillman is another aging veteran that could bring back a decent package in a trade and help Florida focus on the future.
24. Minnesota Wild: Scoring
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I respect the physical style of hockey Minnesota has dedicated themselves to playing, but they need to start putting the puck in the net to emerge from mediocrity.
Martin Havlat was the first piece to building a successful offense, they need to build on that.
23. Edmonton Oilers: Veteran Leadership at Forward
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Edmonton has a number of talented youngsters up front, but could use some leadership to bring those prospects along.
If the Oilers lean on their young stars, they could burn them out before they hit their prime.
22. Calgary Flames: Youth
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The Calgary Flames fixed their front office issues and appear to be heading in the right direction.
By trading away Jarome Iginla at the trading deadline, they could make a necessary commitment to rebuilding and youth.
21. St. Louis Blues: T.J. Oshie
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The St. Louis Blues are a different team without the services of their aggressive young forward, T.J. Oshie.
If they regain his services in time for the postseason they could make a decent run.
20. Phoenix Coyotes: Consistency
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In the log jam that is the Western Conference, the Coyotes are right in the think of it.
They tend to struggle from inconsistent play however.
With Phoenix's ownership situation squared away they now need to put a consistently competitive product on the ice.
19. Nashville Predators: Scoring
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The Predators play such a disciplined defensive system, but struggle to muster consistent production up front.
Imagine if this team could put up points?
18. Colorado Avalanche: Defenseman
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The Colorado Avalanche are one of the best scoring teams in the entire NHL and have an outstanding goaltender but need to add some depth on defense.
17. Atlanta Thrashers: Defensive Defensman
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The Atlanta Thrashers have been a big surprise this season but lack a true defensive defenseman to complement their two all star scoring defenders, Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom.
16. Anaheim Ducks: Defense
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The Anaheim Ducks rely on the strength of their No. 1 line and need to continue to add depth.
Since the departure of Rob Niedermayer, the Ducks have lacked formidable defensemen and it has hindered them.
15. Dallas Stars: Powerplay Quarterback
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Another upstart team, the Dallas Stars have been active on the trade market in recent weeks.
One piece they still lack is a stud defenseman who can log tons of minutes and quarterback the powerplay.
14. Chicago Blackhawks: A Goaltender
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The Blackhawks thought they had filled their goaltending void by picking up Marty Turco, but he has not performed up to par.
Chicago will still be in the market for a goalie up until the trading deadline.
13. San Jose Sharks: A Veteran Goaltender
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Another team that could be in the market for a goaltender is the San Jose Sharks.
They have a pair of high upside goaltenders, but will either of them be able to carry them through the playoffs?
12. Buffalo Sabres: A New Captain
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Captains aren't exactly a dime a dozen in the trade market, but Craig Rivet has got to go. He is one of the 10 worst captains in the league.
11. Los Angeles Kings: A Stud Winger
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The Los Angeles Kings' championship window is just opening. They have the talented pieces in place and could be the leading candidate to land Jarome Iginla. His leadership could put this team over the top.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning: A Solid Third Line Player
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The Lightning filled their biggest void by acquiring Dwayne Roloson. However due to some under achieving forwards, depth is needed up front.
9. New York Rangers: Get More Out of What They Have
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The Rangers have a solid core in place but with Marion Gaborik under performing and Prospal still on the shelf New York just has to hope to get more out of the players that they have.
8. Carolina Hurricanes: Defense
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The Carolina Hurricanes are another talented offensive team that needs help on the blue line.
There is a high demand for defensemen and not much of a supply.
7. Montreal Canadiens: Depth On Special Teams
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The Canadiens live and die on the strength of their goaltending and special teams. Carey Price has been great this season so some depth on special teams is the next step.
6. Boston Bruins: Defenseman
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For years, the talking heads have said the Bruins need a puck-moving defenseman. They seem to be mentioned in rumors for Tomas Kaberle quite often and it makes sense. Boston has been calling up defensemen from Providence and it's obvious that they are running out of prospects at the position.
5. Detroit Red Wings: A New Trainer
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The Detroit Red Wings have a championship window that is closing slowly. They need to stay in one piece for another few years to stay among the league's elite.
4. Washington Capitals: New Leadership
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Nobody can deny the talent that the Washington Capitals have across the board, but I can't help but question their leadership.
Alexander Ovechkin has never been able to get it done when it matters and that will obviously have to change.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins: A Stud Winger
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Once the entire lineup is healthy, the Penguins will get back on track. Despite all of their talent, they could still use another solid winger to add to their deep lineup.
2. Philadelphia Flyers: A Veteran Winger Or Goaltender
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The Flyers could make the biggest splash of any team when the trading deadline rolls around.
They have been linked to rumors with Tomas Vokoun, Corey Stillman, Jarome Iginla and Kris Versteeg.
Philly could certainly use some depth for the upcoming postseason run, but if they have to part with talented youngsters James Van Riemsdyk and Andreas Nodl it may not be worth it.
1. Vancouver Canucks: Nothing
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The Vancouver Canucks are the one team that can stick with the status quo and be comfortably in championship contention.
There are very few weaknesses if any in the Vancouver lineup, and they are in the driver's seat for the Western Conference crown at the moment.
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