Five players who could be moved; not named Nash, Ryan or Luongo

    Big names are said to be available and a few of them could be dealt at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. It’s the other names that are not being discussed but are always dealt at the draft. In past years it’s been the Alex Tanguay’s and the Mike Cammelari’s; whom could it be this year? We’ve got five likely candidates from the Western Conference.

Are two longtime Stars on the market

    At last years NHL trade deadline there were a few long-time Dallas Stars who were widely speculated on the being “on the market”. As the Stars looked to get into the playoffs at the time those names were not moved, but what about now?

Captain Brendan Morrow

    Morrow is in the final year of his six year, 4.1 million dollar contract. The Stars have never been a free spending hockey club, throwing out the 7-8 year deals worth 50 million or more. So keeping Morrow around as a third/fourth liner while making 4.1 million doesn’t make much sense.

    The Caryle Saskatchewan native had his worst season since turning professional, scoring 11 goals and 26 points in 57 games. That dismal season makes the contract almost impossible to move, but clubs such like Vancouver, NY Islanders maybe even the Red Wings might consider the gritty veteran. The stars in all honesty would be lucky to get a late 2nd or 3rd round draft choice in return.

Steve Ott

    Ott market value is the complete opposite of Morrow. Up to 15 teams or more would love to have this two way, checking machine. The advantage the Stars would have in the negotiations is Ott has two years left at 2.950 million.

    Would the Stars accept a mid first round pick? Or are they looking for another 2nd/3rd liner who has more offensive potential. If Dallas were to get 14-20 overall for Ott; they could also part with their 13th overall pick to get into the top six of Friday’s entry draft. But would the two first rounders be enough to move up that high?

Niklas Hjalmarsson

    Lets not beat around the bush. The Chicago Blackhawks have their eye on the prize in veteran defenseman Ryan Suter, who’s hometown is less than two hours away from Chi-town. In order this even to happen the Hawks have to clear up cap space and move a top four defenseman. You know they will not trade Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook, they just re-signed Johnny Oduya, which leaves only Niklas Hjalmarsson.

    Tons of talk this week about the Senators being interested and maybe parting with checking center Zach Smith. When it’s all said and done, the Hawks have to go with their gut instinct, do they have a realistic chance of signing Suter? If the answer is yes they have to move the Swede. But there could be five or six teams wanting in on Hjalmarsson, they’ll take the best deal possible or even take a trade were they can get rid of more salary which they consider dead weight.

Mason Raymond

    Once thought as a top flight speedster, the Cochrane Alberta native is now being taken to arbitration by his employee the Vancouver Canucks, and stock value is perceived to be lower than ever.

    At the trade deadline, the Canucks attempted to obtain Ott from Dallas for Raymond, but the Stars would have none of that. In 2009-10 Raymond had 25 goals in 82 games, but in the past two seasons he has 25 goals in 125 games. Their might not be tons of teams lining up for Raymond, only because he is the complete opposite of what teams are looking for, bigger and stronger players a.k.a players that helped the Kings and Bruins win the Cup.

    I’m of the opinion that teams like Carolina and Columbus are desperate for depth up front, and both teams tend to go for smaller skilled players.

Ryan Jones

    In the Tom Renney era in Edmonton, Ryan Jones has been in and out of the doghouse. But surprisingly enough his numbers offensively have been consistent (17-18) goals over the past two years. But it’s the stretches of 10-20 games where Jones is nowhere to be seen that is driving him out of Edmonton. He’s likely not be a top six forward, especially in Edmonton, because of this don’t be surprised if the Oilers find him another home.

    The asking price would be minimal, a fourth rounder or likely another depth forward with more nastiness to his game, someone such as Patrick Kaleta from Buffalo.

    But years and years of basement dwelling, Edmonton is aware eventually things need to be changed up.