If You Listen Closely

You'll be able to hear the quiet buzz going around the NHL. *insert sarcastic snicker here*! This trade deadline dash is as loud as a train. Everyone is trying to get the scoop on who is going where and when. What is going to happen is you'll see small trades here and there until POW - someone big moves and that will open the flood gates. I would equate this moment with the time right before the bell rings and the horses take off out of the gates. Its the calm before the storm.

I found this information on TSN ... here is a list from a bunch of different news sources and what they are writing about. So many rumors going around its like lunch time in an 8th grade cafeteria.

- Many reports from Tampa note that Lightning D Dan Boyle could be among the most attractive options at the deadline, with the New York Post reporting that the Rangers are hotly pursuing Boyle, with the Flyers and Sharks also hovering. The St. Petersburg Times joins TSN in reporting that the word around the GM Meetings had the Lightning looking to see what they could get in return for C Brad Richards.

- According to the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers aren't likely to make too many moves because of injuries and a roster of young talent that they want to build upon, but would consider a young scoring winger in exchange for C Jarret Stoll, who will be a restricted free agent. The paper goes on to say that if a team wants to make a push for D Joni Pitkanen, it would take a winger like Alexander Frolov to make a deal work.

- If the Bruins are going to get in the bidding for Marian Hossa, the price could be Phil Kessel and Mark Stuart, according to the Boston Globe, while the Ottawa Sun suggests that Glen Murray would be part of the package. According to the Ottawa Sun, the Habs, Bruins, Senators, Rangers, Sharks, Ducks, Wings and Stars have all made their pitch for Hossa. The Ottawa Sun says that the Sharks turned up the Heat in their pursuit of Hossa, offering C Patrick Marleau. The New York Post adds Sharks D Matt Carle and Thrashers C Bobby Holik to that trade mix.

- Reports out of South Florida and Minnesota both indicate that the Wild are angling for Panthers C Olli Jokinen, seeing him as a legitimate No. 1 centre for Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik.

- The Boston Globe lists Alex Tanguay, Vaclav Prospal and Jarret Stoll as potential top-six forwards of interest to the Bruins.

- According to the Columbus Dispatch, Adam Foote is the only pending unrestricted free agent that the Blue Jackets are talking contract with. That means Sergei Fedorov, David Vyborny, Michael Peca, Jan Hejda and Ron Hainsey are all considered trade fodder approaching the deadline.

- The Bergen Record notes that there were rumours of Bobby Holik being dealt from the Thrashers to the Rangers, but Atlanta's surge into Southeast contention makes it less likely.

- The New York Post initially had the Devils getting interested in Chicago's Robert Lang or Martin Havlat, then saying that the Devils are more likely to get involved in a rental player acquisition. The Ottawa Sun suggests that if the Montreal Canadiens get Marian Hossa, they might make a push for Havlat as well.

- The Columbus Dispatch says that the Senators would be willing to move Antoine Vermette or Chris Kelly for a power play quarterback. The Ottawa Sun suggests that, instead of dealing Vermette, the Senators consider moving D Andrej Meszaros.

- The Denver Post, noting that Toronto, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, New Jersey, Vancouver and Nashville had scouts at a recent Avalanche game, noted that one scout said he was in Colorado to evaluate Avalanche LW Andrew Brunette.

- The Belleville News-Democrat suggests that both Barret Jackman and Bryce Salvador are possible trade bait since they are heading for unrestricted free agency and the Blues have spent quite a bit of money on the blueline already.

- While the numerous Leafs with no-trade clauses are still waiting for word on possible deals, the Toronto Sun notes that Matt Stajan is finding his name in more trade talks. The Toronto Star reports that the Leafs might need to include younger players -- like Nik Antropov or Alexei Ponikarovsky -- in trade talks since they would both fetch a good return.

- According to the New York Post, the Rangers could be interested in Blues LW Martin Rucinsky, and may send D Marek Malik to St. Louis in such a deal.

- Reports indicate that Maple Leafs D Tomas Kaberle did not waive his no-trade clause for a deal to Philadelphia. The Ottawa Sun reports that the Flyers had offered C Jeff Carter and draft pick.

- Oilers G Dwayne Roloson, with one year at $3-million remaining on his contract, could get moved out of Edmonton if he gets his way. Roloson is naturally not thrilled with playing backup to newly-established starter Mathieu Garon.

- According to the Boston Globe, the Lightning have interest in Avalanche G Jose Theodore and Roloson.

- The Globe and Mail revives the long-rumoured Alex Tanguay-for-Michael Ryder trade rumours.

- The Columbus Dispatch has the Devils interested in Blue Jackets C Manny Malhotra.

- Both the Boston Globe and Toronto Sun suggest that Maple Leafs D Hal Gill could be moved out before the deadline.