NHL Buyers and Sellers

Did you know Tuesday is a national holiday in Canada? No, not really, but that is when the NHL trade deadline passes.

There has been much written lately about teams "renting" players, that is those who will be unrestricted free agents after the season. Thank the Carolina Hurricanes for that. The Canes won the Stanley Cup last season thanks in part to acquiring forward Mark Recchi from Pittsburgh and center Doug Weight from St. Louis at the trade deadline. Both players resigned with the teams that had traded them during the summer.

Several notable trades already have taken place, but here is a team-by-team look at whom I anticipate buying and selling.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

BUYERS
Atlanta - Needs more scoring, especially down the middle, even with acquisition of Eric Belanger. A disciplined defenseman would help, too.
Buffalo - The injury bug is biting them again, and they appear ready for a Cup run. Dealing backup goalie Martin Biron for a veteran player or two would be bold, but it could put the Sabres over the top in the East. Lots of organizational depth.
Carolina - They acquired center Josef Vasichek, but they're not finished. Maybe they'll bring Weight back again.
Montreal - Just a guess, but they're gonna make a blockbuster trade involving Sergei Samsonov, Alexei Kovalev or some of their defensemen. With a good group of young forwards coming up, they could move prospects, though I don't get the sense that's the plan there.
N.Y. Rangers - They've added F Sean Avery, but could use more secondary scoring and toughness now that Brendan Shanahan is hurt.
Ottawa - Need veteran forward, preferably a tough one. A big defenseman also would help. Gary Roberts and Brad May are among the possibilities.
Pittsburgh - Some veteran defensemen would help Sidney Crosby and Co. on a playoff run.
Toronto - They're on the fringe of the playoffs. Not making them isn't an option. Scoring is the first order of business. Cap space is an issue because they've overspent on their blueline.

SELLERS
Boston - If the price was right, forward Glen Murray could go. They made their big splash already by dealing Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau. Defenseman Andrew Ferrance, acquired in the Stuart trade, could be trade bait. It appears Marco Sturm isn't going anywhere.
Florida - Forwards Gary Roberts, Martin Gelinas and even Todd Bertuzzi (if healthy) are available in and walk years. Goalie Ed Belfour has playoff experience.
Philadelphia - Trading Peter Forsberg was the first step. Forwards Kyle Calder and Geoff Sanderson could be next. If anyone would take one of their goalies, they'd deal them, too.


STANDING PAT
New Jersey - Cap space is an issue and this seams like a team that is coming together.
N.Y. Islanders - Re-signing forward Jason Blake should be their first priority.
Tampa Bay - Hamstrung by the salary cap. Rumors of dealing one of their big three forwards for Nikolai Khabibulin are intriguing but unlikely.
Washington - Not much of interest to other teams aside from 5-6-type defensemen and fourth-line forwards.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

BUYERS
Anaheim - The Ducks need secondary scoring, and knowing GM Brian Burke, they'll likely get it. But they might have to deal another of their promising young forwards.
Detroit - The Wings would love to bring forward Martin Lapointe back, but other power forward possibilities include Gary Roberts, Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk.
Edmonton - This depends on whether the Oilers think they have a shot at the playoffs, which appears dicey right now. They badly need help on the blueline, yet they traded Marc-Andre Bergeron for a prospect last week. With a wealth of young forwards, they could get a top-four defenseman.
San Jose - The Sharks need blueline depth, particularly of the physical variety, and they have plenty of young players to deal to get it.
Vancouver - The Canucks need scoring and would like blueline depth. What they trade for it complicates matters. If they make a splash, they're a Stanley Cup darkhorse.

SELLERS
Chicago - Defensemen Adrian Aucoin, who has been linked to Montreal, and Jassen Cullimore, rumored to be headed to Vancouver, are available. Center Brian Smolinski is a hot commodity, as is power forward Martin Lapointe. If GM Dale Tallon got an overwhelming offer, goalie Nikolai Khabibulin might go, too.
Colorado - It will tough, though not impossible, for the Avs to reach the playoffs. I don't buy the rumors that they'll trade Joe Sakic. However, the Avs have a lot of veteran forwards who could go. I'd be surprised if forward Milan Hejduk was dealt, but it could happen. They'd love to unload goalie Jose Theodore, but no one will take on his salary.
Columbus - Any number of veterans, such as defenseman Adam Foote, forwards Anson Carter, Fredrik Modin and Sergei Fedorov could be dealt.
Los Angeles - A team in need of veteran defensemen (Rob Blake, Mattias Norstrom, Aaron Miller, Brent Sopel) would be wise to call GM Dean Lombardi. They've already dealt forwards Sean Avery and Craig Conroy. Goalie Mathieu Garon might go, too.
Phoenix - Any number of veterans could be traded, starting with forward Owen Nolan (a return to San Jose or Toronto perhaps?), goalie Curtis Joseph, forward George Laracque and possibly a defenseman such as Derek Morris and Nick Boynton. Expect the Coyotes to be very active.
St. Louis - Despite the Blues' ascent up the standings in the past two months, it's expected they'll deal forward Bill Guerin and possibly Keith Tkachuk. Many teams would love to acquire defenseman Eric Brewer, but he is reportedly close to re-signing with the Blues. Expect St. Louis to be active.

STANDING PAT
Calgary - The Flames have obtained forwards Craig Conroy and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart without damaging their core. If they are healthy and gel, watch out.
Dallas - Obtaining forward Ladislav Nagy might be the extent of it. The Stars need to get healthy down the stretch.
Minnesota - The Wild has phases where it plays very well, and others where it doesn't (mainly due to injuries). If goalie Manny Fernandez is out longer than expected, they might try to grab an inexpensive backup such as Chicago's Patrick Lalime. A veteran forward would help, too, but this is a conservative franchise and it will stick to its plan.
Nashville - Acquiring center Peter Forsberg might have put the Predators over the top in the West if he can stay healthy.