The NHL trade deadline is just one hour away and teams are scrambling to make moves, including the Toronto Maples Leafs, who are hoping to get goaltender Roberto Luongo from the Vancouver Canucks, as well as the New York Rangers, who made a big move to get Ryane Clowe from the San Jose Sharks as a number of other teams also wanted him.
Some of the biggest names out there include Ben Bishop, Raffi Torres, Dan Boyle, Mike Smith and Jason Chimera and many more, and the Senators want at least a second round pick for Bishop. Smith may not be moved based on what the Coyotes do and Ryan Miller could be on his way to Tampa Bay, as the Buffalo Sabres are having a rough season.
The Flyers and Bruins made moves, including Boston bringing in Jaromir Jagr, while the Penguins traded for both Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow. The Rangers lost out on any chance at getting Jay Bouwmeester, as he is now on the Blues, while Boyle is the top option on the defense along with Jamie McBain of the Hurricanes. The team is chasing the Penguins and they got stronger by adding Brendan Morrow and Jarome Iginla ahead of Wednesday.
The Rangers put in a solid 4-2 win at home on Monday against the Jets to possibly stave off any trades from Glen Sather was Wednesday approaches, but the team needs to start playing more consistently if they want to make any noise in the playoffs. The scoring issues were in full force in the previous two games, as the team was shut out in back to back contests.
Marian Gaborik has scored 40 goals three times, but this season he has been moved around the lines very often and has just nine goals in 31 games this season. After signing a big contract with the team he has one year left and a no trade clause, but he could waive it if the team finds a suitable option. The Rangers have needs at forward and defense and the team could try to send him to the Sharks for Dan Boyle, who would give the team some much needed support.
According to ESPN.com, Gaborik could be one of the major moves of the trade deadline, as he has been having a down season after the Rangers were the number one team in the East last year. The team has had issues playing consistently all season and is tied with the Islanders with 37 points on the year after getting off to a rough start.
The team got Rick Nash in the offseason in a deal and they could use Boyle as an offensive weapon as a defender on the blue line. The team has struggled to score goals at an alarming rate and a trade could shake some life into the Rangers. Sharks' forward Ryane Clowe could be an option, but he is being pursued by the Bruins and the Flyers. (UPDATE: he's a ranger).