NHL Trade Rumors: One Player From Each Team Who Could Move at the Deadline

The NHL season has only just begun, but before we know it, it'll already be February and the trade deadline will be fast approaching.

Obviously, we can't know where each team will be in the standings then or who will be injured and need to be replaced.

However, we do know of players who might be traded sometime this year, making the trade deadline the prime opportunity to do it.

Plus, we can speculate, just for fun.

Here are the players each team might trade at the trade deadline. 

Anaheim Ducks: Dan Ellis

Last season, the Anaheim Ducks starting goaltender Jonas Hiller was battling vertigo that kept him out of the lineup for most of the second half of the season.

So, they picked up Dan Ellis and Ray Emery to back him up.

Expecting Hiller to be back and healthy, the team did not re-sign free agent Emery this summer.

By the trade deadline, Hiller should be in prime form, but another team might be in need of another backup goaltender.

It'll be the perfect time for the team to move Ellis for whatever they're missing to end their season on a high note. 

Boston Bruins: Johnny Boychuk

On paper, the Boston Bruins have anything they need to have another successful year and make another serious run at the Stanley Cup.

Barring an injury, they won't need much, if anything, at the trade deadline.

If they do trade anyone, it will probably be Johnny Boychuk, as he lifts out the easiest. 

Buffalo Sabres: Shaone Morrisonn

The Buffalo Sabres made a few moves this summer and have a full salary cap, so they probably won't be very active around the trade deadline.

However, if they do make a move, it'll be to move away a player they'd like to get rid of. In this case, that would probably be Shaone Morrisonn.

Morrisonn is in the last year of his deal and costs $2.075 million.

They could put that money to better use, but another team might be able to use Morrisonn at that point in time.  

Calgary Flames: Jarome Iginla

As unlikely as it is that the Calgary Flames will ever trade Jarome Iginla, anything is possible.

After all, the Flames could use a lot of new pieces to build a team that's competitive in the West, and trading Iginla would yield a lot in return.

Plus, many teams at that time will be on the cusp of making the playoffs, and a player like Iginla would help them accomplish that.

That means they'd give up even more for him then.

Carolina Hurricanes: Alexei Ponikarovsky

The Carolina Hurricanes signed free agent forward Alexei Ponikarovsky over the summer.

Of their current roster, Ponikarovsky seems like the easiest to lift out, and many teams could be looking for a forward with size, which the 6'4" Ponikarovsky has.

The team could yield something for Ponikarovsky at the trade deadline. 

Chicago Blackhawks: Sami Lepisto

Sami Lepisto signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks over the summer. 

At the trade deadline, Lepisto could appeal to other teams because of the short commitment they would have to make and the opportunity they would have to get a good young defenseman.

Colorado Avalanche: Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny's name has been brought up in trade rumors for months now. 

Stastny is another unlikely candidate for a trade, but if the offer is right, virtually any player could be traded.

By the trade deadline, plenty of teams could be looking for someone like Stastny. 

If they're willing to offer up a lot in return, the Avalanche could make the deal. 

Columbus Blue Jackets: Whoever They Need to Get Another Goaltender

The Columbus Blue Jackets made a couple of big deals over the summer, so it's unlikely that they'll be active at the trade deadline.

However, one thing they could stand to improve is their goaltending. 

They could stand to add another consistent goaltender to play alongside Steve Mason. 

Dallas Stars: Brenden Morrow

At the trade deadline, the Dallas Stars may need to make a trade for quality players.

Their best trade bait might be Brenden Morrow.

Morrow, Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn are probably the biggest trade baits on the team, but Eriksson and Benn are untradeable. 

Detroit Red Wings: Jiri Hudler

Last season, Jiri Hudler struggled and didn't produce much for the Detroit Red Wings. 

The Wings are giving him another chance, but if he doesn't produce this first half either, the Wings will probably look to move him.

Edmonton Oilers: Sam Gagner

Sam Gagner has the potential to become a top player in the league. 

He has attracted considerable interest, but for now, the Edmonton Oilers are unwilling to trade away a young player with so much potential. 

However, at the trade deadline, teams could be desperate and offer up more for Gagner. The Oilers might take the bait at that point. 

Florida Panthers: Stephen Weiss

The Florida Panthers changed their roster considerably between the end of last season and the start of this season.

It's hard to predict what players will perform the best and draw the most interest, but Stephen Weiss will probably continue to be one of them.

With more talented players on their roster this year, perhaps the Panthers will be more likely to accept an offer for Weiss. 

Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Bernier

The Los Angeles Kings have two very talented young goaltenders: Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier.

This is a great situation for a team to have because if something happens to the starter, then they have another prime goaltender who can step into that role.

However, sometimes the backup doesn't enjoy that role and will demand a trade.

If that happens, or if the team is offered a good deal in return, the Kings might move Bernier at the deadline. 

Minnesota Wild: Niklas Backstrom

Niklas Backstrom has had many good years with the Minnesota Wild, but they have a solid backup in Josh Harding too.

Perhaps a team would love a veteran goaltender like Backstrom and offer enough to make the Wild willing to part ways with him at the trade deadline.

It's a possibility. 

Montreal Canadiens: Andrei Kostitsyn

Andrei Kostitsyn made some comments about his head coach over the summer that led to a lot of trade speculation.

So far, obviously, Kostitsyn hasn't been moved, but it's still a possibility.

After all, the team will get more for Kostitsyn at the trade deadline than they would have if they had tried to move him following his remarks. 

Nashville Predators: Ryan Suter

It is very likely that at the trade deadline the Nashville Predators will move either Shea Weber, Ryan Suter or Pekka Rinne.

Suter seems the most likely.

Rinne has the potential to become one of the top goaltenders in the league, so he's unilkely to be moved, and Weber is a one-of-a-kind player who the team probably won't move unless he demands it.

That leaves Suter the odd man out. 

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise

The New Jersey Devils could only agree to a one-year deal with Zach Parise over the summer, so they will be in negotiations with him for a long-term deal.

An unlikely but possible scenario could have the Devils moving Parise if it seems like he's willing to wait it out until he can walk as a free agent.

It's very unlikely, considering that Parise is now captain, but there is always the slight possibility.  

New York Islanders: One of Their Goaltenders

The New York Islanders have three goaltenders: Rick DiPietro, Evgeni Nabokov and Al Montoya.

The team certainly doesn't need all three of those goaltenders, so they could easily move one of them at the trade deadline.

DiPietro is unlikely, considering his contract and the fact that he's injury-prone, but Nabokov or Montoya could be moved. 

New York Rangers: Wojtek Wolski

This season, when the New York Rangers bought out Chris Drury, there was talk that they might buy out Wojtek Wolski as well.

In the end, they decided against it, but they could still decide to move him at the trade deadline. 

Ottawa Senators: Jason Spezza

If the Ottawa Senators want to become a competitive team in their division and the Eastern Conference, they are going to have to make some serious changes to their current roster.

That would include making some sacrifices, and that could mean trading away Jason Spezza.

After all, Spezza is their biggest bargaining chip and would garner the most in return.  

Philadelphia Flyers: Sergei Bobrovsky

In just the couple games that the Philadelphia Flyers have played, we've seen Ilya Bryzgalov playing his best, showing that he can handle the job and making the two backup goaltenders unnecessary.

This means that one of them can be moved, and the more likely candidate is Sergei Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky is still young and would garner more, considering his potential.  

Phoenix Coyotes: Kyle Turris

The Phoenix Coyotes have a very different roster this year after losing Ilya Bryzgalov due to financial constraints and Ed Jovanovski to free agency.

Depending on how they play the first half, they may need to make a big move.

That would probably involve moving a young player, and Kyle Turris could be a prime possibility.  

Pittsburgh Penguins: Mark Letestu

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero is adept at making great trades at the trade deadline to help improve the team.

There's a good chance he'll do it again at the next trade deadline.

Who will he give up in return? It seems likely that it will be either one of his young stars, like Mark Letestu, or prospects or a combination of both.  

San Jose Sharks: One of Their Goaltenders

The San Jose Sharks made a few big trades over the summer, so they'll probably be pretty inactive at the trade deadline.

If they move anyone, though, it could be one of their goaltenders.

Otherwise, maybe a prospect or draft picks, or just no trades at all. 

St. Louis Blues: Alexander Steen

The St. Louis Blues have a better roster than a lot of people realize, and they could be a contender in the conference this season.

They might need to make a final trade at the trade deadline to really make themselves a playoff contender.

They might trade a more established player, but someone that they'd be willing to give up. Perhaps that could be someone like Alexander Steen.   

Tampa Bay Lightning: A Player in Their System

The Tampa Bay Lightning have a well-set roster. The team works very well together, and that's why they experienced so much success last season.

This means that barring any injuries, their roster should remain set at the trade deadline, making moves unnecessary.

If they do make any moves, the Lightning would probably be more likely to trade prospects or draft picks than to trade anyone from their roster. 

Toronto Maple Leafs: Tim Connolly

Last season, there were many teams seeking a center at the trade deadline, and Tim Connolly's name was one of the most targeted names.

However, he was never moved, and this summer, signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The injury-prone Connolly is hardly the solution to the Leafs center problem. Perhaps he'll be in demand at this trade deadline again, though, and the team can use him for another player that they could then parlay into the center they need.

It seems complicated, but it could be something that Brian Burke could make happen.  

Vancouver Canucks: One of Their Goaltenders

The Vancouver Canucks have two goaltenders that could easily both be starting goaltenders: Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider.

Schneider's contract is up after this season, so if they don't re-sign him, they should trade him to get something in return.

Or, they could be bold and go the unlikely route of moving Luongo and committing to Schneider as their starter. 

Washington Capitals: Alexander Semin

Many people have been expecting the Washington Capitals to trade Alexander Semin at virtually any moment for the past couple of seasons.

So far, that hasn't happened, and it's probably because Semin has such talent that it's hard to give up on the inconsistent forward.

Perhaps this year's trade deadline will be the year that the Caps are offered something they can't turn down, and Semin will be moved. 

Winnipeg Jets: Nik Antropov

Nik Antropov scored the first goal of the new Winnipeg Jets in their home arena, making history.

However, Antropov might not remain with the Jets.

After all, Antropov is a skilled player, and at 6'6", is a highly-demanded size for a center.

There would probably be many teams interested in him at the deadline, and the Jets could start to accumulate what they're looking for to improve their roster.