NHL Trade Deadline Speculation: Tomas Vokoun and 7 Players Who Could Be Moved

With the NHL trade deadline just hours away, the moves will start to come slowly but will increase steadily and climax at the three o'clock trade deadline.

Some big names are speculated to be moving but I don’t expect a lot of time contracts being moved.

Teams in contention will be looking to add forward depth and grit for the playoff push and also looking for defensive help.

Pretty much any deal that can help the teams to win will be considered and some wild trades may take place before the deadline.

All trade rumors and talk are courtesy of TSN's TradeCentre.

7. 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)

Edmonton looks like a clear seller on deadline day as they try to build for next season.

Any players the management doesn’t see fitting in with the team going forward will be at least considered for a trade.

Ladislav Smid is a solid defender who could fit in on a third defensive pairing for a team looking for depth at defense.

The Chicago Blackhawks, as well as a few other teams that have been struck by the injury bug on defense, will be looking to acquire Smid.

6. Dustin Penner

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 05: Dustin Penner #27 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on February 5, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Dustin Penner is a gritty forward that could play on a third line for a playoff contending team.

Offensively he isn’t the best player but his two-way play would make him an asset.

According to TSN's TradeCentre, Nashville and Los Angeles seem to be the front runners in acquiring Penner.

5. Jason Arnott

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 22: Jason Arnott #25 of the New Jersey Devils at American Airlines Center on February 22, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jason Arnott is a solid depth player at forward and the Devils will look to move him before he walks as a free agent.

A team looking for playoff experience and a good two-way forward will find the services of Arnott suitable for a deep playoff run.

Rumors from TSN’s TradeCentre say that Nashville has been involved in talks with the Devils, but there are a few teams expressing interest.

4. Wayne Simmonds

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 19: Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Los Angeles Kings waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 19, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Imag

Wayne Simmonds is a blue-chip trade piece and the Kings could use him to pull off a blockbuster.

With plenty of teams being sellers at the deadline, look for the Kings to pull off a move or two to add an offensive touch for the stretch.

Simmonds might not be moved but he has been rumored to be on the market, so it’s never out of the question.

3. Ales Hemsky

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 05: Ales Hemsky #83 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on February 5, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ales Hemsky is a good scorer but he doesn’t make his own plays happen.  He isn’t the most dynamic player but when he gets to his spot, he is dangerous.

Rumors have the Los Angeles Kings looking to acquire him and that would be a very smart move.

Hemsky could play with Anze Kopitar, which could get him open space to turn him into a 30-goal scorer.

2. Tomas Vokoun

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 25: Goaltender Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers prepares the crease in front of the net against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on February 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The rumors are running dry for Tomas Vokoun but the idea that no team wants a bona fide starter in net is absurd.

I understand that he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season but he could be the difference for teams with a problem in net right now.

A team with a solid defense that could add Vokoun could instantly become a serious threat in the playoffs.

1. Brad Richards

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Center Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The rumor waters have calmed around Brad Richards, but that doesn’t mean a move won’t happen.

According to sources, the Stars will not re-sign him long term, so not moving him would be irresponsible for the organization.

If they plan to keep him, that’s fine. If they don’t have him in their long-term plan, the team should get what they can now.

Teams could get some serious blue-chip pieces in return for Richards.