NHL Trade Rumors: Deadline Deals That Could Shake Up the League

There are a number of rumors swirling around the NHL regarding possible trades that could be made prior to the NHL's trade deadline.  Many trades involving specific players or teams have the potential to shake up the league for the good or bad, depending on which team's perspective you're analyzing.

Only time will tell how these trades will affect the NHL—that is, if they're made.  But don't be surprised if there tends to be more NHL news or rumors over the next few weeks and months than you've been used to in the past.

Jarome Iginla

Despite trade rumors circling around the NHL regarding the Calgary Flames and Jarome Iginla parting ways, Flames GM Jay Feaster has denied any such rumor. 

According to the Ottawa Sun, “It is not true. Jarome Iginla has not been asked to waive his no-trade, and Jarome Iginla has not demanded a trade or asked for a trade," said Feaster.

It sounds like Feaster is saying what he has to say right now to avoid any unnecessary attention, considering all of the talks that have been going around involving Iginla.

If Iginla ends up being traded, the impact he'll have on a team is nearly invaluable.  Any team that acquires Iginla will be getting someone who's scored at least 30 goals in each of the last 11 seasons, a future Hall of Famer and a player who has yet to win a Stanley Cup championship and is as hungry as anyone in the league to get one.

I fear for any team that gets in the way of Iginla and the team that acquires him.

Roberto Luongo

Apparently the Vancouver Canucks regret extending Roberto Luongo's contract until the end of the 2021-22 season, because according to NBC Sports' Pro Hockey Talk, "the Canucks have dangled Luongo in trade circles."

Moving Luongo would be difficult at this time considering the $5.3 million cap hit a team would take because of the hefty contract Bobby Lu possesses.

Luongo's early struggles in the 2011-12 season won't make it any easier for Vancouver to trade him, however, Bobby would provide any team with one of the world's best goalies and a 2010 Olympic gold medalist.

Bobby Ryan

Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan has been one of the most talked-about names being moved prior to the NHL's trade deadline, however, according to the New York Post, Anaheim has temporarily taken Bobby Ryan off the trade market.

The key word in that quote for the New York Post is "temporarily."

Don't dismiss all Bobby Ryan trade talks just yet.  Wait and see what kind of changes are implemented with Anaheim's new head coach Bruce Boudreau—the same guy who escaped the first round of the NHL playoffs one time with one of the league's best teams, Washington Capitals.

Ryan, who is only 24 years old, would provide any team with an immediate positive impact.  The 2011-12 season marks Ryan's fourth full season in the NHL, and he scored at least 30 goals in the previous three.

Cory Schneider

Trading Roberto Luongo may not be very likely for the Vancouver Canucks to accomplish, but Bobby Lu's backup, Cory Schneider, is very much tradeable.  According to the Ottawa Sun, "Schneider will be shipped out at some point."

Not only will Schneider cost less than Luongo for inquiring teams, but Schneider has been the Canucks' better goalie this season.  Schneider has allowed a mere 2.12 goals per game, compared to the 2.9 allowed by Luongo, and Schneider has stopped 93 percent of the shots he's faced, compared to the 89 percent Luongo has stopped.

If Schneider departs from Vancouver, the Canucks and Roberto Luongo have a lot of pressure on their shoulders to not screw things up.  Luongo will no longer have a great backup to fill in for him when he's in a funk, like many goaltenders experience throughout a season.  The team that acquires Schneider will receive, arguably, the NHL's best backup netminder who would be a starter for many other organizations if he weren't behind one of the world's best goalies.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have had their share of struggles throughout the early goings of the 2011-12 NHL season, and it's apparent the Hawks have some holes on defense and at the center position that need to be filled.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has indicated the 'Hawks are in no rush to spend money despite being between $6-7 million beneath the NHL's salary cap.

Bowman also indicated that the 'Hawks "do have a lot more cap space" than the organization has ever had.  Don't think for a second that if the 'Hawks need to make a move Stan Bowman would hesitate to do so.

"When the time is right, if that opportunity comes, we won't be hesitant to move on it," said Bowman.

If Stan Bowman and the Chicago Blackhawks can address the areas of concern in addition to the core group of players signed through the immediate future (Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook), the 'Hawks could reenact the performance they had in 2010 when they hoisted the Stanley Cup in June.