The NHL trade deadline is coming up this week and names like Ryan Kesler, Mike Cammalleri, Thomas Vanek, Jason Spezza, Stephane Robidas, Ryan Callahan and Martin Brodeur have been mentioned as possible targets and teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks could be interested.
The deadline is on Wednesday and there already has been a major deal that went down, as Ryan Miller was traded from the Buffalo Sabres for Jaroslav Halak and Chirs Stewart from the St. Louis Blues. The Sabres now have Jaroslav Halak, Matt Moulson and Chris Stewart to possibly trade at the deadline and all those players could move after the Miller deal went down, which was expected. The Blues have been one of the best teams in the league and goaltending was one of their weak spots and now they have one of the best and most experiences goalies in the league in their net. The Blues are one of the Stanley Cup favorites after the deal and now that Miller has moved, Cam Ward, Halak and Martin Brodeur are names that could get attention from the Blackhawks or the Minnesota Wild.
Kesler has come up multiple times already over the past few weeks and the Canucks are unlikely to make a move, as they would like to extend him, but he continues to get attention. According to Pro Hockey Talk, Kesler has a high asking price with a center, prospect and a first round pick for Vancouver and no team may want to meet that. Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers and the Toronto Maple Leafs have been mentioned as possible destinations for him, but those teams may not want to give up that much.
The 29 year old Kesler has said that he will not go to the Blue Jackets and said that he would be interested in the Penguins Flyers or Rangers, but unless Ryan Callahan is traded, NY is unlikely. Kesler is on a two year, $5 million deal and that means he likely will remain with the Canucks at the deadline unless a team steps up and meets the demands.
According to Pro Hockey Talk, Spezza isn't getting traded this deadline and it comes as he was named the captain following Daniel Alfredsson and he has been solid this season with 15 goals, 46 points in 56 games and that makes him a target. The team hasn't been mentioned much in trade talks and Spezza could be an option if the Senators get a deal they like. Robidas has been injured since back in November, but according to TSN, teams are interested and while Robidas is a risk, many feel that it would be worth taking if he can get back on the ice and the Bruins were mentioned as a possibility.
The Blackhawks have lost Marian Hossa for a few weeks and that could get the team involved at the deadline, as he has been one of the best scorers for the team with 24 goals in 57 games. Vanek could be moving along after being traded to the Islanders from the Sabres earlier in the year, while Cammalleri and Moulson are considered likely to move as well. Cammalleri is making $7 million so that could make things difficult, but he is a solid player and he has 16 goals and 29 points over his last two postseasons.
