The NHL Insider: Marian Gaborik to Canucks, Lemieux to Play for Pens?

The new NHL season is well under way, and that means teams that are cold are itching to pull the trigger on a trade to improve their squad.

Here are just a few rumours from the past week that may be making headlines in the weeks to come...

Canucks Gunning for Gabby

It is no secret that Canucks GM Mike Gillis isn't convinced that the Sedin twins are the centerpieces he needs for a top line, and with their contracts up at the end of the season, don't be surprised if the twins get sent packing to the Wild for Pavel Bure clone Marian Gaborik—who is also up for free agency at season's end.

The trade makes sense on numerous levels.

For the Wild, they get a two-for-the-price-of-one deal, and may be able to sign the twins each for the ballpark price of $5 million per, while Gaborik is asking for $8-$10 million, which the Canucks could easily afford. Gaborik would bring Vancouver fans to the edge of their seats when healthy, something they haven't had since the golden days of the aforementioned Pavel Bure.

Lemieux to Suit Up for the Penguins

No, not Mario, but rumour has it Claude Lemieux has been involved in talks that would see the NHL veteran coming to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

At age 43, Lemieux is apparently in great shape and flying at practise with the Arizona Sundogs.

The hope is that Lemieux can fill the void left by Gary Roberts after he signed with Tampa Bay in the offseason. With a team that saw nine players flee after a trip to the Finals last season, it may not be such a bad risk, and if he can be half the player the last Lemieux to suit up for the Penguins was, well, they might just get a bargain.

Senators Seek Tender

The Ottawa Senators have changed their tune after going 1-4 on their five-game home stand.

Just last week, the Sens' brass said they were not interested in Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. Now the team has contacted the 'Hawks to see what it would take to make a trade happen...What a difference a week makes.

You can't blame the Sens, who look like they are a one-line team with no goaltender once again this year, and do not  look like a playoff-caliber team by any means.

The problem though is that Khabibulin may have just won his spot back on the roster after he could have been had on waivers just three weeks ago.

Hey Calgary, is Kipper available?

Leafs to Deal Jason Blake

It looks as though the drama between Leafs forward Jason Blake and coach Ron Wilson is going to come to an end, as Toronto GM Cliff Fletcher has been shopping the pint-size speedster.

The possible destinations?

The Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks have all said to be interested, as long as Toronto swallows a chunk of the winger's remaining salary. Their has also been talks of defensive letdown Mike Van Ryan being shipped alongside Blake. The emergence of Luke Schenn as a top-three guy on the blueline has made Van Ryan expendable as well.