NHL Trade Rumors: Breaking Down the Latest Rumblings Around the League

October has brought many tricks and treats for NHL fans. Some teams are surprisingly struggling, while others are off to red-hot starts that not even a crystal ball could have predicted.

For some of those basement-dwellers, it may be time to shake things up with a trade or two.

Many rumors are floating around the hockey world at this time, but which ones seem legitimate, and which ones seem highly unlikely?

The Dallas Stars Are Looking to Move Their Captain

There have been some rumblings about the Dallas Stars trading captain Brendan Morrow away.

It seems very unlikely that the lifelong Star, who is entering his 12th season with the club and has 497 points in 760 career games, would waive his no-trade clause to go elsewhere.

Stranger things have happened, though.

Is this something that will become a reality? 

Verdict: No Trade

The Stars are thriving right now early on in the season. It would virtually make no sense trading away one of your best players, not to mention your captain.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Stars' GM Joe Nieuwendyk feels the same way. He likes his team just the way it is right now, and wants to see what this team can do.

Morrow, himself, would be surprised if he didn't finish his career with the Stars, too, I'm sure.

Contract Holdout Leads to a Kyle Turris Trade

Kyle Turris and his agent, Kurt Overhardt, have stood their ground since day one of the NHL season, demanding that Turris receive a lucrative payday or a trade. 

Since then, talks have gone on between both sides, trying to meet some middle ground. Phoenix Coyotes' GM Don Maloney has repeatedly said that he will absolutely not trade Turris.

However, should this holdout keep dragging on, Maloney just may have to deal his young prospect.

Verdict: Deal

Bruce Garrioch of SLAM! Sports reports that executives around the league believe Kyle Turris and Kurt Overhardt have handled the situation disastrously. 

Rightfully so, too. Turris has done very little to earn a payday of around $4 million since being drafted third overall in 2007. 

The ball is in Coyotes' GM Don Maloney's court, but he may just want to open up to the idea of a trade. The media coverage surely is not helping this situation one bit for Turris' stay in Phoenix.

I'd like to see a packaged deal involving Turris sent to the Vancouver Canucks for backup goaltender Cory Schneider. Vancouver may be the fresh start Turris needs, and Schneider certainly could be a great starting replacement in net for the Coyotes. 

With Quick Clearly No. 1, the Other Jonathan Is Dealt

Jonathan Quick had a heck of an October start, which saw him go 6-1-2, posting a 1.52 GAA and .947 save percentage. In the middle there, Quick also posted three consecutive shutouts, the first in Los Angeles Kings history to do so.

Meanwhile, backup Jonathan Bernier is looking to take his game to the next level. The problem is that Quick is the bona fide No. 1 guy in L.A.

Perhaps it is time for the Kings to move Bernier. There's certainly a few clubs that would love to have his services.

Verdict: Not so Fast...

Jonathan Bernier certainly will get moved, but not just yet. The Kings will wait until they get an offer they are more than happy with.

Meanwhile, Bernier serves as an outstanding backup who will provide relief to Jonathan Quick so he isn't burned out come playoff time.

Rumor has it that the Tampa Bay Lightning looked at acquiring Bernier in June at the NHL Entry Draft, but nothing came of it. Perhaps a deal can be struck at the end of this season, with another year in the books for Bernier, and Lightning netminder Dwayne Roloson likely to edge towards retirement. 

Rene Bourque Dealt from Flames to Playoff Contender

Rene Bourque is a dynamic forward with a big body presence for the Calgary Flames.

The undrafted forward out of Lac La Biche, Alberta has surprised many by developing into a force with the Flames. Often playing alongside Jarome Iginla, Bourque has posted back-to-back 27-goal seasons.

However, his name has surfaced amongst trade rumors this year quite often, and he knows it, too, according to the Calgary Herald. 

Verdict: Staying in Calgary

On the brink of 30-years-old, Rene Bourque is no longer a young prospect. If the last two seasons are any indication, Bourque will be good for around 50-60 points and anywhere from 20-30 goals.

The only problem is finding that continued consistency with Calgary.

Though his name has been highly rumored, the Flames probably won't pull the trigger on a deal unless they get a solidified return, not any draft picks or prospects, which means it will be tough to move Bourque. 

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins In, Sam Gagner Is Out.

Sam Gagner is another name that lives within the tornado of trade rumors that swirls ferociously every season.

Gagner, 22, has amassed 174 points in 296 career games spanned across four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. The organization had hoped the young center would produce more like he did in the OHL with the London Knights, rather than the 40-50 points he has consistently recorded in the NHL.

Now that the Oilers have announced Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is here to stay with the team all season, is it time to move Gagner? 

Verdict: Trade

The Buffalo News reports that several teams have been scouting the Edmonton Oilers, likely inquiring about the services of Sam Gagner.

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins finding his niche on a line with Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, veterans Shawn Horcoff and Eric Belanger down the middle as well, it leaves Sam Gagner on the fourth line. That's no place for Gagner, though. 

Look for Sam Gagner to wind up in another team's sweater before the trade deadline hits this year.