VANCOUVER

Gentlemen, charge up your cellphones.

The NHL trade deadline is set for Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST and general managers will spend the next four days squeezing in those final few calls to try to find the right fit down the stretch.

With a lot of teams left in the hunt, the prediction is many talks will go down to the final hour as teams try to decide whether they’re buyers or sellers.

If the Canucks are indeed serious about trading centre Ryan Kesler, then this deadline could be interesting. GM Mike Gillis is certainly listening to all offers and it’s believed the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins have the most serious interest. Detroit may also be in the mix.

OFF THE GLASS

Oilers GM Craig MacTavish wants to be active. He has been trying to move forward Ales Hemsky since last summer and might be able to find a taker by Wednesday. Here’s an interesting tidbit: I’m told Edmonton has made a pitch for Montreal defenceman Andrei Markov. The club would like a big veteran to stabilize its defence and Markov hasn’t been able to come to an agreement with the Habs on a new deal. The Oilers might be willing to ante up the three-year contract Markov wants. This may not happen at the deadline but Edmonton could make a pitch on July 1. If Markov is to be moved at this stage the Habs want a prospect and a pick ... The Panthers will talk about an extension with defenceman Tom Gilbert. He’s had a good year but GM Dale Tallon will get call ... With Ryan Miller gone to St. Louis, Minny will turn its attention to getting a goalie. Two options: New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur and Florida’s Tim Thomas.

THIS N’ THAT

Dallas GM Jim Nill is looking at the big picture and he has a couple of decisions to make before the deadline. He will likely move veteran centre Ray Whitney to Phoenix if the Coyotes are willing to offer up something that will make the Stars better two years down the road. The club is also looking to move forward Erik Cole, centre Vernon Fiddler and defenceman Stephane Robidas. Whitney, Fiddler and Robidas are UFAs ... It will be interesting to see what happens in negotiations between the Habs and defenceman P.K. Subban after the trade deadline. The talk is Montreal has tabled a seven-year deal worth $49 million. A Norris Trophy candidate, it’s believed Subban is looking for something in the $8-to-$8.5 million per-year range on a new contract. Montreal GM Marc Bergevin got a bridge contract with Subban in the last negotiation two years ago but now he has the upper hand and the Habs will have to pay.

AROUND THE BOARDS

The Isles are trying to move forward Thomas Vanek and defenceman Andy MacDonald. GM Garth Snow wants first, second and a prospect in exchange for Vanek. That price will change before the deadline and the Kings have been sniffing ... Those who form their opinion based on the way they feel the wind blowing have decided the NHL will definitely return to the Olympics in 2018. Those who make phone calls and base their knowledge on fact aren’t being so quick to judge and there are no guarantees whatsoever. The NHL is expected to announce plans for the return of the World Cup soon and the appetite amongst thoe owners is lukewarm to shutdown the season to attend the Olympics. Yes, the players want to go, but the league isn’t convinced there’s any financial benefit to a compressed schedule and shutting down in February. The owners will have to be persuaded to go back ... Several teams have called the Sharks about defenceman Dan Boyle, but they will likely take their chances and see if they can sign him as a UFA ... The Predators will likely deal centre David Legwand and forward Matt Cullen is being shopped.

RUMOURS DU JOUR

The reason Rangers’ captain Ryan Callahan is demanding a seven-year deal worth $6.75 million per season is he knows he can get it elsewhere. The talk is the Sabres will make a pitch if he gets to free agency and that’s why New York might be well-served to try to figure out a way to get him signed ... A guy to keep an eye on in Calgary who isn’t being talked about a lot is forward T.J. Galiardi. He has a cap hit of $1.25 million he’ll bring good depth to a team that wants to add that element down the stretch ... If the Hurricanes decide to make a move, defenceman Ron Hainsey could be dealt by Wednesday. There is a lot of interest and he’s a UFA at the end of the season. Carolina GM Jim Rutherford needs to decide if he’s truly in the race ... Washington forward Martin Erat still wants out but there’s only very limited interest. He has one year left at $4.5 million so that will make it a difficult ... Expect Calgary centre Mike Cammalleri to be on the move. If the Kings fail in their pursuit of Vanek, they’ll definitely show interest. The Canucks have been sniffing around ... The Bruins had held talks with the Rangers about defenceman Dan Girardi before he signed. Boston GM Peter Chiarelli will likely do something to replace defenceman Dennis Seidenberg’s minutes.

Have a nice Sunday.

WHEELIN' & DEALIN'

Time is ticking away.

A week after Canada clinched gold in Sochi, the focus for the 30 NHL GM’s is squarely on the road to the Stanley Cup. The final hour to make changes is set for Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST.

What teams will buy? What teams will sell? Will the Sabres be able to get anything for their unrestricted free agents? Questions abound with the race for playoff spots on.

“All it takes is one deal to break the ice and you have to think the Ryan Miller deal to St. Louis may do that. Teams are going to push to get deals done now,” a league executive said late Friday night.

TOP 5 SELLERS

BUFFALO SABRES - GM Tim Murray made a huge move Friday by dealing goaltender Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues. He isn’t finished yet, he still has Matt Moulson and anyone else up for grabs. EDMONTON OILERS - Craig MacTavish has been trying to make moves all year and he’s made a couple of deals. He’d like to move forward Ales Hemsky and will retain salary. A lot of teams will try to make a bigger deal for winger Jordan Eberle. N.Y. ISLANDERS - Losing captain John Tavares to injury gives GM Garth Snow the green light to move left wing Thomas Vanek and defenceman Andy MacDonald. Vanek might be the most sought-after player and MacDonald won’t be far behind. NASHVILLE PREDATORS - This might be a bit of a surprise but they are a longshot to make the playoffs. A lot of teams have called about centre David Legwand. He may not be the only one to go. Wouldn’t be surprised to see many gone. CALGARY FLAMES - Interim GM Brian Burke hasn’t made any bold moves since he took over but you can expect him to be busy. The club would like to keep UFA Mike Cammalleri but it’s doubtful he’ll stay. There are options for buyers.

TOP 5 BUYERS

ST. LOUIS BLUES - This is the right time for GM Doug Armstrong to do what it takes for a long playoff run. He made a big move to get Miller and Ott. Now the Blues have the netminding and the sandpaper. VANCOUVER CANUCKS - Expectations are high for coach John Tortorella and missing the playoffs doesn’t seem like an option for GM Mike Gillis. The club needs depth up front because it has been battered by injuries. LOS ANGELES KINGS - They’d like to add more scoring for the playoff push. They will be in on all three of the top forwards available. This club wants to make a noise in the tough West in the playoffs. N.Y. RANGERS - You always have to put the Rangers in this category. GM Glen Sather sticks his nose into every deal. If they can’t get Ryan Callahan signed, it’s doubtful he’ll be dealt and the Rangers will try to add forward depth through a trade by using draft picks. DETROIT RED WINGS - If they can’t find a way to get it together, their 23rd straight trip to the playoffs will be in major jeopardy. The club needs help up front with Henrik Zetterberg gone, especially in a tight playoff race.

TOP 5 TARGETS

Thomas Vanek, LW, N.Y.I . - He is the most sought after players on the market because he has the most offensive talent. Isles want a No. 1 pick in return. Ryan Kesler, C, Vancouver - This one came out of the blue. There is a lot of interest. In fact, 29 teams have called the Canucks. Chicago and Pittsburgh will push hard. Matt Moulson, LW, Buffalo - This market will heat up once Vanek gets dealt because he’s attracting a lot of the same attention. He can score. M. Cammalleri, C, Calgary - Teams are going to go looking for this guy. Doubtful he’ll sign an extension. You can fully expect he’ll be on the move before Wednesday. Ryan Callahan, C, N.Y.R - The captain has demanded a long-term deal at $6.75 million per-season. GM Sather doesn’t want to do that. They signed Dan Girardi, and many think Callahan will be signed as well.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Martin St. Louis, RW, Tampa - He only wants to go to the Rangers. His reputation has taken a hit.

- He only wants to go to the Rangers. His reputation has taken a hit. Ray Whitney, C, Dallas - Teams are looking for veteran leadership. They may look here.

Twitter: @sungarrioch