The NHL trading deadline is fast approaching this week and teams that are looking to load up before a playoff run will be looking at a number of players, including from the Calgary Flames, as Jay Bouwmeester and Miikka Kiprusoff could be the next stars to go after dealing Jarome Iginla.
According to ESPN.com, the Flames have set a high price for Bouwmeester and the team is currently in trade talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kiprusoff as the team hasn't been able to work on a deal with Roberto Luongo yet. Iginla was surprisingly traded to the Penguins last week after spending his entire career in Calgary and it appeared he would be going to the Bruins, but instead he will help keep Pittsburgh afloat after losing Sidney Crosby.
The report says that the Flames want a nice chunk for Bouwmeester, as he is still under 30 and is in the prime of his career as one of the best defensemen in the league. The New York Rangers could use him after losing Marc Staal, while the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues are also reportedly targeting him. The salary for Bouwmeester is high, but some teams could counter that depending on who they give up.
One of the options for the Flames is to pay some of Bouwmeester's salary, making sure that they can get pieces for trading him, including young stars or draft picks. The Los Angeles Kings are also looking for a blue line boost, especially after finding out that Willie Mitchell will be out for the rest of the season most likely. Bouwmeester has a $6.6 million salary attached to him, making the Flyers as well as other high-spending teams an option.
The defenseman has never played in the playoffs and he likely would want a deal to a contender. The team is also dealing with a possible trade for Miikka Kiprusoff to the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the team needs a goalie and their talks for Roberto Luongo have so far stalled.
One of the biggest names on the block is Ryane Clowe, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent and will likely be traded from the San Jose Sharks before the deadline. Clowe has a no-trade clause, but there are a number of teams that he would like to go ot, reportedly the Rangers, Canucks, Wild and Bruins.
The Montreal Canadiens are also making a play for Clowe and could be able to put in the pieces to get him, as they want a top forward to give them a boost. The team also could be after Bouwmeester, but likely will stay away from that salary. The Sharks are reportedly looking for a first round pick and young player, which is something Montreal likely will not do, but the Canucks or Rangers could be tempted.
