NHL Trade Deadline: 5 Players Most Likely Moving Today

Finally, the NHL trade deadline has arrived! Most analysts are expecting a lot of action today, but opinions are pretty split on whether or not there will be many high-quality players moved.

Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars has been the most talked about potential trade, but will he go?

Here are some players who are very likely to be on the move today.

Ales Hemsky or Dustin Penner

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ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 16: (L-R) Dustin Penner #27 of the Edmonton Oilers defends against Saku Koivu #11 of the Anaheim Ducks as Ales Hemsky #83 of the Oilers controls the puck in the first period at the Honda Center on January 16, 2011 in Anaheim, Califo

There's plenty of interest in both Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner of the Edmonton Oilers.

Rumors are that Los Angeles and Minnesota, amongst others, are in on Hemsky, and Montreal is pushing hard for Penner.

It's possible that they could both be traded, but I think Edmonton will move one of the two.

John-Michael Liles

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 14: John Michael Liles #4 of the Colorado Avalanche takes a shot against the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center on February 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Flames defeated the Avalanche 9-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been pushing hard for John-Michael Liles for about the last week, but according to hockeyyinsiderrr, they have backed off.

The Columbus Blue Jackets could be interested in Liles.

Ladislav Smid

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 07: Joel Ward #29 of the Nashville Predators is checked by Ladislav Smid #5 of the Edmonton Oilers on February 7, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Ladislav Smid is a hot topic right now and will likely have a different address by the end of the day.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Nashville is pushing for Smid. According to various other people, all over Twitter, Smid could be going almost anywhere in the league.

Zenon Konopka

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Zenon Konopka #28 of the New York Islanders waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers at the Nassau Coliseum on February 21, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

David Pagnotta, editor-in-chief of "The Fourth Period," reported that "Islanders trade Konopka to Anaheim for a 2nd RD pick."

That wasn't a done deal yet, but it would be very surprising if Konopka isn't traded today. He brings toughness and is surprisingly good on face-offs.

If the Isles can get a second-round pick, they win the deal for sure.

The Canucks and Canadiens also rumored to be interested.

Jason Arnott

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Brandon Sutter #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jason Arnott #25 of the New Jersey Devils battle for the puck at the Prudential Center on February 16, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, he's been "told 4-5 teams in chase for Jason Arnott."

According to @incarceratedbob, "**NHL RUMOR** Devils dealing Arnott is *IMMINENT* u have Canadiens / Capitals / Flames."

Take the @incarceratedbob report with a grain of salt, but he has been right a few times in the last few days. Pierre LeBrun is almost always on the money.

Does Brad Richards Get Traded?

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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)

Unless the Stars' management knows something about their ownership situation that the rest of us don't, the Stars probably should trade Brad Richards.

The Stars currently sit in the middle of the mess in the Western Conference race, in a four-way tie for seventh place.

Once again, @incarceratedbob has his update that "Source:NYR DEAL 4 Brad Richards is *IMMINENT* —this gets done in next few hours(Dallas wants another prospect-97 percent done)."

It's impossible to know if Richards will be traded today, but I believe the Stars need to make the playoffs to make the team more attractive to potential buyers, so they will keep Brad Richards.