NHL Trade Rumors: Evgeni Nabokov, Olli Jokinen and the Latest Trade Buzz

NHL Trade Rumors are continuing to heat up, and it's not just trade rumors either.

The news that broke today about Evgeni Nabokov's possible return to the NHL definitely could be a big move in the Western Conference and possibly be the biggest move so far this season. There's also a few other players who have made some trade ripples, but it seems like things are starting to slow down in terms of trade rumors.

Of course, a lot can happen between now and February 28, but things have cooled somewhat. It won't stop us from finding the latest trade buzz, however. And here's the latest rumors involving the NHL.

Evgeni Nabokov, G

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CHICAGO - MAY 21: Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save in overtime while taking on the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on May 21,

We all remember Nabokov, the jekyll-and-hyde goaltender who many times seemed to be the face of the Sharks goaltending woes. He had gone to Russia to play in the KHL, but we learned today that he's been in contact with the Detroit Red Wings and that both sides are in negotiations over a possible deal.

Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted a deal could get done as soon as today, although he added Nabokov would have to clear waivers before he could be signed. Either way, it's an interesting insurance move for an already stacked team and perhaps evidence Chris Osgood is more hurt than thought.

Olli Jokinen, C, Calgary

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MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 17: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens body checks Olli Jokinen #13 of the Calgary Flames during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on January 17, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Jokinen at least has a cheaper cap hit this time around in Calgary, but it hasn't made him any more consistent. He's still a very maddening player. But he gets jobs because of his talent, and teams take a chance on him because of that talent.

It's all background for a rumor making the rounds on the internet that Pittsburgh is interested in Jokinen. The Web site PuckMePlease.com wrote Calgary wants a second-round pick for Jokinen, while Eklund of HockeyBuzz.com just wrote about the rumor. It's something to keep an eye on.

Tomas Kaberle, D, Toronto

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 13: Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in action during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on January 13, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Christian

The defenseman hasn't been involved in any concrete rumors, but the rumors have been circulating, including another proposed trade to Boston for Blake Wheeler and another rumor from Eklund linking him to the Rangers. The Sharks might still be interested in Kaberle, according to who you see on the internet, but most would think Kaberle probably isn't going anywhere.

Miikka Kiprusoff, G, Calgary

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 5: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks gets tangled up with goalie Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames during the second period in NHL action on January 05, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by

I wrote earlier this week about interim GM Jay Feaster saying he was in no hurry to move Kiprusoff, but he has been struggling, and even ESPN's rumor blog is saying youngster Henrik Karlsson should be seeing more playing time right now. Of course, what this means for Kiprusoff's future in Calgary is unsure. The trade market for goaltenders isn't strong, and teams are trying to stay under the cap. In other words, if you're waiting for a possible Kiprusoff trade, don't hold your breath.

James Wisniewski, D, Montreal

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BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 18: Nathan Gerbe #42 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens at HSBC Arena on January 18, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Wisniewski has been a solid find for the Habs, playing well while quarterbacking the power play and filling the role of a No. 1 defenseman. He's also an unrestricted free agent, and according to the Montreal Gazette, he'd like to stay in Montreal. The report also added that Montreal also has only three defensemen signed for next season, so he could very well be in luck.

Niclas Bergfors, RW, Atlanta

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SUNRISE, FL - JANUARY 17: Goaltender Scott Clemmensen #30 of the Florida Panthers stops a shot from Niclas Bergfors #18 of the Atlanta Thrashers on January 17, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Only a few weeks ago, Bergfors was considered to be on the move and could be available for a price. That talk has slowed as Bergfors has started to get back into the lineup. But with the Thrashers struggling recently, one has to wonder if they will look for a spark and possibly look to make a move. And with Bergfors already rumored on the block, perhaps they could pull the trigger then. Nothing seems imminent now, though.

Mike Smith, G, Tampa Bay

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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 02: Marc Savard #91 of the Boston Bruins tries to get a shot past Mike Smith #41 of the Tampa Bay Lightning as Brett Clark #7 of the Lightning defends on December 2, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Ge

Since the Lightning acquired Dwayne Roloson, we wondered which goalie (Dan Ellis or Mike Smith) would be the odd man out. Right now, it's definitely Smith, as the goaltender was sent down to the Lightning's AHL affiliate in Norfolk today on a conditioning assignment according to ESPN. Obviously the Lightning would like to move Smith, but the market probably won't allow them to make a deal.  

8. Jean-Sebastian Giguere, G, Toronto

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 15: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scoops the puck out after Ales Kotalik #26 of the Calgary Flames scores during the shootout during game action at the Air Canada Centre January 15, 2011 in Toronto, Ontar

Giguere was supposed to get the night off in New York last night. Instead, he played the end of the first period before Ron Wilson went back to Jonas Gustavsson for the Leafs' 7-0 blowout loss to the Rangers. With Gustavsson and James Reimer in the pipeline, it seems to those involved that Giguere won't be back if you listen to some of the Toronto media. But now that the Toronto Star has reported he's willing to waive his no-trade clause, the question becomes: where would he go?

9. Matt Moulson, LW, New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 13: Matt Moulson #26 of the New York Islanders skates during an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at the Nassau Coliseum on January 13, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

With Roloson and Wisniewski shipped out of town, Moulson is now the next big name who could go. The Islanders would like to keep him and re-sign him, but it hasn't stopped the internet rumors. There was a rumored deal to send Moulson to Boston, while news came out today from Andy Strickland of True Hockey that the Penguins are also interested in Moulson. He's a cheaper option, but whether the Islanders will part with him is unknown.

10. Alex Bolduc, C, Vancouver

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 20: Alex Burrows #14 and Alex Bolduc #49 both of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate a victory over St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on December 20, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Canucks beat the Blues 3-1. (Photo by Dilip

Bolduc isn't going anywhere; instead, news broke that according to ESPN, he'll be out four to six weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun wrote that the Canucks could be looking at a fourth-line center, especially since the Canucks fourth line has been a revolving door all season. The Canucks are already stretched for cap room, but it's something to keep an eye on.