The most recent rumors are entered on the first page of this article.
Nov. 19/08 -
Are the Senators in for a major shake-up? As the disappointing results continue, F Jason Spezza is the name surfacing most frequently in trade rumors.
It's no secret that the team is not always happy with Spezza's effort. Are they prepared to deal him and take the chance that he might blossom into a superstar somewhere else?
And if Spezza is offered around, which teams will take on his multi-year contract and $7 million salary cap hit? Columbus and Edmonton are mentioned as possible destinations. Ottawa needs defense or goaltending in return, and maybe a depth forward.
Colorado is said to be shopping D Brett Clark and Jordan Leopold. The Sens could be interested in either option.
Tampa Bay isn't the most stable hockey town lately. The roster has been in constant flux since new ownership arrived during the summer, and the team is on its third coach in six months.
That sort of turmoil breeds trade rumors.
The Ottawa Sun reports that apart from Lecavalier, St. Louis, Ranger, Meszaros, and Stamkos, every player on the Lightning roster is available.
F Jussi Jokinen and G Olaf Kolzig are the names most frequently mentioned. Kolzig might be the solution for teams seeking emergency goaltending help.
Leading the list of teams in need of goaltending is New Jersey. To no one's surprise, the Devils haven't been the same since Martin Brodeur exited with an elbow injury. Kolzig could be an option. Other possibilities are Nikolai Khabibulin in Chicago and Dwayne Roloson in Edmonton.
Roloson is still seen as the eventual odd man out in the Edmonton net, though trading him would leave the Oilers with the promising but inexperienced Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers and the disappointing Mathieu Garon.
Khabibulin rumors are on the wane lately, as he is currently outplaying Cristobal Huet, who was signed last summer to take over as the Blackhawks number-one goalie. A bigger impediment to a Khabibulin deal is his $6.75 million salary. Trading for him would look more attractive near the deadline, after most of that money has been paid out by the Blackhawks.
Another report out of Chicago has the 'Hawks shopping D Cam Barker for help at center. One rumor says Barker could go to Washington for veteran F Michael Nylander. But Nylander has been a healthy scratch recently, and comes with almost $5 million in salary.
Vancouver D Mattias Ohlund could be a free agent next summer. The Canucks say they won't deal him, but trade rumors will persist as long as he remains without a contract extension. Possible destinations: Philadelphia and Ottawa, two teams in need of veteran blue line help. Disappointing Sens F Antoine Vermette could be part of a deal. But it would take more than Vermette to pry Ohlund from Vancouver.
The latest out of Florida is that the Panthers owner wants D Jay Bouwmeester locked into a long-term deal. This will appear more and more unlikely as the season continues and free agency approaches.
Oct. 20/08 -
Marian Gaborik to Montreal is the hottest rumor in the NHL. But how about Gaborik to Pittsburgh in a straight-up trade for Evgeni Malkin?
A Montreal deal would reportedly include F Chris Higgins, another everyday player, and a prospect.
Another rumor has Gaborik going to Vancouver to join Pavol Demitra. Hard to see where the Canucks would find the assets to make it happen.
In any case, it's widely believed that Gaborik is determined to force a trade out of Minnesota by refusing to sign a new contract.
Gaborik's cap hit is over $6 million this year, and he's looking for a monster contract next summer. So salary cap considerations will be front-and-center in any potential trade.
August 24/08 -
Earlier McCabe rumors had a prospect or young player going to Toronto. That makes more sense for a rebuilding team like the Leafs.
The Edmonton Oilers say they will not trade F Ales Hemsky to Montreal or anywhere else. Assistant GM Kevin Prendergast says an offer would have to "blow our socks off to get him out of here."
Minnesota C Marian Gaborik could be an unrestricted free agent next July. So until the Wild sign him to a contract extension, the possibility of a blockbuster trade hangs over the situation. So far, everyone involved is making happy noises about contract talks.
Calgary is over the salary cap and will have to shed salary before the season starts. The Flames would reportedly prefer to move D Rhett Warrener and his $2.25 million ticket. Maybe they should be on the phone to Tampa Bay?
June 19/08 -
Occasional scoring winger Jonathan Cheechoo has joined teammate Patrick Marleau as the Shark most likely to be dealt. Or so everyone figures. TSN.ca reports that Marleau was almost sent to Vancouver last season for a package including F Ryan Kelser.
Want Panthers' F Olli Jokinen? It'll reportedly cost you two established NHLers and a first-round draft pick.
The Senators and Flames are said to be after Jokinen and Marleau, or Boston's Glen Murray, or Philadelphia's R.J. Umberger. Ottawa's trade bait could be D Andrej Meszaros, a restricted free agent.
