NHL Trade Rumors: Mikko Koivu and The Top 10 Injuries Affecting the Deadline

The NHL trade deadline is only a little over a week away. Many teams have suffered significant losses due to injury. Many of these injuries have fallen on high-profile players, a worst-case scenario for their teams.

These teams will need to make some moves if they hope to regain momentum going into the playoff stretch.

Here are the top 10 injuries that will have the most significant impact on this year's trade deadline.

10. Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks and Team Lidstrom takes a break during their game against Team Staal in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

The Anaheim Ducks are currently sitting in the number 10 spot in the Western Conference. They look to move into playoff contention.

However, this will be difficult without a healthy Jonas Hiller in net. Hiller is suffering from a recurrence of lightheadedness and it is unknown when he will return.

He missed two weeks earlier this month for the same symptoms. If this looks like it will be a recurring problem, the Ducks may need to boost their goaltending for the playoff stretch.

9. Kevin Bieksa and The Vancouver Canucks Blue Line

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 11: Kevin Bieksa #3 of the Vancouver Canucks skates 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 Images)

Many Vancouver Canucks defensemen are injured right now. This could really affect what the Canucks do at the deadline.

They look to retain their success throughout the playoff stretch and into the playoffs. That will be difficult without a healthy blue line.

Kevin Bieksa is the latest to head to IR with a foot injury. Not good for Vancouver considering the kind of year Bieksa has had with the Canucks.

8. Ed Jovanovski, Phoenix Coyotes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Ed Jovanovski #55 of the Phoenix Coyotes passes the puck during the NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Jobing.com Arena on February 12, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 in an overtime

Ed Jovanovski has been a big part of the Coyotes success this year. However, he is now recovering from a facial injury.

Another Phoenix blueliner Adrian Aucoin is also on IR. The Coyotes may need to find replacements for them on the blue line.

7. Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 18: Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers waits for a faceoff during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. Devils won 1-0.

The New York Rangers forward Marian Gaborik is out with a concussion. We have seen the results and the time that concussions cause players to miss.

The same can be expected of the Gaborik injury. Since he's such a talented young star for the Rangers, they won't want to hurry his recovery and risk his future with the organization. 

The Rangers were supposedly seeking help on the blue line, but now they may need to assess their needs on offense as well.

6. Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 2: Chris Osgood #30 of the Detroit Red Wings turns a shot away in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 2, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Flyers defeated the Wings 3-2. (Photo by Claus Anderzen/Get

The Detroit Red Wings are not expected to make any moves before the deadline. However, there is speculation that if Chris Osgood is assessed and allowed to return to the lineup, that the Red Wings will try to move the veteran goaltender.

Jimmy Howard has gotten the chance to really shine for the Red Wings. He has proven that he's capable of being the starting goaltender for the Wings.

If that is the case, Osgood may be rendered unnecessary. If he is cleared to return, he may be moved to a team that really needs goaltending.

5. Brad Richards, Dallas Stars

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

This one is a little different. There was a lot of speculation that Brad Richards would be moved by the trade deadline.

Since Richards will enter free agency after the season ends, sources have speculated that the Stars will not be able to bring him back next year so they would trade him now.

However, now that he is out with a concussion, it is unlikely he will be taken off the IR in time to be dealt.

4. Mike Green, Washington Capitals

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: John Carlson #74 and Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Verizon Center on February 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green is out after getting struck in the ear by a puck during their last game versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Mike Green has been a huge presence on the Caps blue line for a couple years now. The Caps will need to make a move to help their blue line, especially since they have struggled on defense in the playoffs in years past.

3. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 16: Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild skates up the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Mikko Koivu, the Minnesota Wild captain and top-line center, will miss at least three weeks with a broken finger. His hand was hit by a shot evidently.

Koivu will also visit a specialist to see if surgery is necessary to repair anything beyond the initial break. If so, his recovery could take even longer.

In the meantime, the Wild will need a top center to take his place.

2. Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 16: A fan holds up a sign in support of Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche as he was place on injured reserve against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Pepsi Center on February 16, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Penguins defeate

The Colorado Avalanche have had a tough season so far. They have battled injuries and it shows in the standings.

Their latest loss is young star Matt Duchene. Duchene is out indefinitely with a hand injury.

Duchene is the team’s leading scorer so the Avalanche will need to recoup that offense somehow.

1. The Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and The List Goes On

Harry How/Getty Images

DETROIT - JUNE 12: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins is helped off the ice after getting injured against the Detroit Red Wings during Game Seven of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Pho

The Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a huge loss when their captain and biggest offensive talent this year Sidney Crosby went out of the lineup with a concussion.

Then, their next biggest offensive talent Evgeni Malkin suffered a torn MCL and ACL injury. Now, Jordan Staal is headed back to the IR with a facial injury as well.

These instances on their own are horrible news for the Penguins, but collectively, they're devastating. Pens GM Ray Shero will need to make some of his trademark savvy deals to try to regain some offense going into the playoff stretch.