NHL Trade Bait

Chris Pronger

With the March 4 deadline looming, the former Hart and Norris winner (2000) is one of the biggest fish on the trading block. The Ducks' acquisition of Ryan Whitney from the Penguins pretty much assured the departure of the bruising backliner after three seasons in Anaheim.

Scott Niedermayer

Another attractive chip for the Ducks, who are in need of a reload, but Niedermayer is a likely either/or proposition. Ryan Whitney's arrival -- and Niedermayer's willingness to re-sign with Anaheim -- will seal Chris Pronger's departure.

Jay Bouwmeester

The seemingly playoff-bound Panthers are damned-if-they-do-and-damned-if-they-don't with the coveted 25-year old blueliner who's in the final year of his contract. The Flyers, Blackhawks, Oilers, Rangers and Devils are said to be interested, but the price tag is likely to be a roster player, prospect and first-round pick.

Kari Lehtonen

With Atlanta in the John Tavares Derby and rebuilding its most prudent path, swapping the veteran netminder for prospects is the likely scenario.

Erik Cole

A disappointment since arriving last July for Joni Pitkanen, Cole was a key member of Carolina's 2006 Stanley Cup team and could be attractive to a team seeking postseason experience. The Oilers are seeking a top line forward.

Nik Antropov

A UFA at the end of the season, the versatile 6-6 forward is a prime name among the many Leafs who are available, thanks to the relatively scarcity of productive forwards. The Leafs are likely to land a mix of picks and prospects in return.

Tomas Kaberle

He has a no-trade clause and time left on his contract, but he's one of the few puck-moving gems in this year's crop and GM Brian Burke knows it. He's said he wants a first-round pick, a productive roster player and prime prospect in return. Otherwise, no deal.

Mikael Samuelsson

The Wings' attempt to keep Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa will put a cap squeeze on Samuelsson and Jiri Hudler. Both are in the last year of their contracts and could be used to grab some insurance in net.

Keith Tkachuk

Nearly 37, he's still an attractive spring rental and could be on the move as the young Blues look to land a pick or two to continue with their rebuilding effort.

Olli Jokinen

At 30, he's old and in the way of the Yotes' youth movement. If he goes to a playoff team, it will be his first sniff of the postseason after 10 years in the league. The big hang-up is his propensity for coming up small when the chips are down. Goalie Mikael Tellqvist is also available. Calgary acquired Jokinen from Phoenix in exchange for forwards Matthew Lombardi and Brandon Prust and a 2009 first-round pick. Buffalo acquired Tellqvist from Phoenix for a fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

Bill Guerin

Doug Weight's season-ending injury made his grizzled counterpart a more attractive deadline acquisition, and Guerin is reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause. The cellar-dwelling Isles also have veteran defensemen Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek to deal for more pieces of their seemingly eternal rebuilding program. Pittsburgh acquired Guerin in exchange for a conditional fifth-round draft pick that could become a third-round selection depending on how the Penguins do in the playoffs.

Scott Gomez

The Rangers would love to unload the underperforming Gomez, but his seven-year, $51.5 million contract makes it much more likely that Petr Prucha leaves instead.

Jordan Leopold

Leopold, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been floating in trade rumors since November. With the Avs looking to trim payroll, winger Marek Svatos and veteran pest Ian Laperriere are also said to be available. Calgary acquired Leopold from Colorado for defensemen Lawrence Nycholat and Ryan Wilson, plus 2009 second-round pick.

Ryan Smyth

Prized as a heart-and-soul playoff performer, Smyth has a no-trade clause, so the Avs will have to ask politely if they receive an attractive offer, which they likely will.

Matthew Lombardi

The Flames' cap is tight and they're not likely to mortgage their future on a rental player, but Lombardi, 26, has been a promising young man for only five years and could fetch some kind of useful help. Calgary traded Lombardi, along with Brandon Prust and a first-round draft pick in exchange for Phoenix winger Olli Jokinen.

Chris Neil

Soon-to-be UFA's Neil and Filip Kuba (no trade clause) may re-sign with Ottawa, but if not, Neil will surely be attractive to teams seeking some productive muscle.

Gary Roberts

If it's spring, greybeards Roberts and Mark Recchi are likely on the move. Neither has a future in tumultuous Tampa, but each has something left to bring to a fourth-line role on a playoff team that covets grit and experience.

James van Riemsdyk

The Flyers' first-round pick of 2007 (second overall) is a useful chip for a cap-squeezed team that wants a serviceable reinforcement for the backline or in net.

Add us as a preferred source on Google