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The 2012 NHL Trade Deadline is Feb. 27, and the trade rumors are building steam. What will the regional squads, the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils, do in an effort to bolster their rosters? Follow our StoryStream right up through the deadline to find out.
NHL.com recently summarized the possibilities for each team. Let's take a look.
New York Rangers
Record: 35-13-5 (75 points), First in Eastern Conference
Acquisition space: $4.418 million
NHL.com says:
There have already been a few big names linked to the Rangers, veteran forwards like Ryan Smyth and Shane Doan, but it is possible neither of them will be available. Depending on Sauer's health, the Rangers might not need anything this month. That said, a move made now might be more about matchups deep in the playoffs than any short-term need. ...
The Rangers have a handful of intriguing prospects and are rarely tepid about making moves at the deadline. It has been a great year to this point, but New York might need one more key piece if the Rangers are going to make their first serious Cup run since 1994.
-- See SB Nation's Blueshirt Banter for more about the Rangers.
New Jersey Devils
Record: 31-20-4 (66 points), Sixth in Eastern Conference
Acquisition space: $7.966 million
NHL.com says:
GM Lou Lamoriello has already added Alexei Ponikarovsky to improve his forward depth. If [Travis] Zajac is OK, the Devils are probably set up front. A mid-season addition of defenseman Kurtis Foster also helped, but this isn't exactly a vintage Devils' defense corps.
Maybe the Devils are done dealing, but if they are worried about losing Zach Parise in the offseason to free agency, Lamoriello might be more willing to push some chips into the middle and try to make a run.
-- See SB Nation's In Lou We Trust for more about the Devils.
New York Islanders
Record: 23-23-8 (54 points), 13th in Eastern Conference
Acquisition space: $41.660 million
NHL.com says:
GM Garth Snow has assembled a nice collection of young talent and there is legitimate hope for the near future. The franchise's biggest needs are on defense, and figuring out a long-term plan in net.
Evgeni Nabokov has been strong in net lately, and that might help his trade value should Snow decide to look toward the future. The Islanders are close to the salary floor, but that won't come into play unless Brian Rolston is one of the veterans dealt. There will probably only be a minor move or two for Snow to make beyond Nabokov, which should probably be a sign of progress on the Island.
-- See SB Nation's Lighthouse Hockey for more about the Islanders.