NHL Trade Rumors: Tomas Kaberle and The Top 10 Defenseman On The Market

As the NHL trade deadlines is just days away, the idea of defenders being moved becomes more and more likely.

Teams will be looking to add defensive depth for a long playoff push.  They say defense win championships in football and the old adage holds true in hockey as well.

Look at the Flyers and Blackhawks last season, both made it to the Finals on the strength of their defense.  Their offenses and goaltending were keys too but the defense made it happen.

The following slideshow is of the biggest defenseman on the market.  Enjoy!

10. Rostislav Klesla

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COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 11: Rostislav Klesla #97 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Phoenix Coyotes during a game on January 11, 2011 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Rostislav Klesla is a solid defender who would be a good addition to a team looking to add depth at defense for a long playoff run.

Klesla is injured now but he will be returning soon.  He has ten points in 45 games and is a +10 overall.

With plenty of teams fighting for playoff spots, a trade for a second defensive pairing defender would be a move that could put a team over the edge in a playoff race.

9. Craig Rivet

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 06: Craig Rivet #52 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Toronto Maple Leaf at the Air Canada Centre on November 6, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres will be looking to add scoring talent and moving veteran defenseman Crag Rivet might be the best way.

On a solid team, Rivet could be a third pairing defender and a damn solid one at that.

Though he only has three points in 23 games, Rivet is known more for his defensive prowess and his ability to shut down the oppositions top players.

8. Marek Zidlicky

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 11: Marek Zidlicky #3 of the Minnesota Wild passes against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on December 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Wild are making a push for the playoffs and the injured Marek Zidlicky might be trade bait for bringing another forward in.

Zidlicky is a solid defender who would make a good addition to the backend of a defensive group and could save a team’s top defenders legs for the deep playoff run.

The Wild need more consistent scoring and moving Zidlicky and picks could bring in a top flight forward for the long playoff push.



7. Joni Pitkanen

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 25: Joni Pitkanen #25 of the Carolina Hurricanes watches the action against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on September 25, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes are on the edge of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference and send Pitkanen away doesn’t seem like the smartest move right now.

The only way the move would make sense is if it’s a package deal that brings a defender back as well.

The Hurricanes could use more depth on defense so shipping Pitkanen and some picks for two defenders might be a good move.

6. Brent Seabrook

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 22: Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Black Hawks waits for a faceoff in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 22, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Hawks defeated the Wings 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen

Brent Seabrook is scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season and the Blackhawks may be looking at what they could get in return for his contract.

While defending Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith has struggled, Seabrook has seen his play rise in a contract year.

Seabrook leads the Blackhawk defenders in points with 31 and would demand a lot in return on the trade market.



5. Erik Johnson

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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 8: Erik Johnson #6 of the St. Louis Blues skates prior to the NHL game against the Florida Panthers on February 8, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Blues defeated the Panthers 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Get

Erik Johnson was the top pick for the St. Louis Blues in 2006 but he hasn’t played up to the expectations set upon him.

Through 53 games this season, Johnson has 18 points and is a -8 overall. He has been solid but a team expects more out of a draft pick that high.

Johnson would garner some serious interest and could probably scoop up some solid NHL ready talent and some good picks.  Ask Toronto, they have another first round pick now.



4. Bryan McCabe

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SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 27: Bryan McCabe #24 of the Florida Panthers takes his position in the face off circle against the Boston Bruins on December 27, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Bruins defeated the Panthers 3-2 in a shoot-ou

The Florida Panthers will be sellers If they continue to slip in the standings and the unrestricted free agents will be big trade chips.

Veteran defender and big time offensive threat Bryan McCabe will be one of the most highly touted players on the trading block this season.

McCabe is on IR right now with a broken jaw but when he returns he could really help a team.  He has 21 points through 53 games and was as good in his own end as the offensive end.



3. Dion Phaneuf

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TORONTO, CAN - FEBRUARY 7: Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 7, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Thrashers 5-4. (Photo by Claus An

Dion Phaneuf hasn’t been what the Toronto Maple leafs hoped he would be when they brought him in last year.

Phaneuf has played solid in his own zone, taking the body and blocking shots, but he hasn’t done anything in the offensive zone to push the tempo.

Through 40 games this season, Phaneuf has only 13 points but could still garnish a ton in return for his services.

2. Sergei Gonchar

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 01: Sergei Gonchar #55 of the Ottawa Senators skates in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 1, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

The Ottawa Senators have become evident sellers at this point and they may be contemplating a trade that would send Sergei Gonchar elsewhere.

Gonchar was their big offseason move on the blue line that hasn’t played in the way the team has wanted.

Whether it be the system or the lame-duck coaching staff, Gonchar doesn’t seem to fit in the scheme of the Senators moving into the future.



1. Tomas Kaberle

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TORONTO, CAN - FEBRUARY 7: Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers on February 7, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Thrashers 5-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty I

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the worst teams in the league, and it is about time they pull the trigger on a Tomas Kaberle deal.

Kaberle would be an amazing acquisition for a team that needs a strong presence on the point.

According to sources, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has asked Kaberle to waive his no trade clause so a move seems imminent.