Buyer or seller? Team-by-team look at trade deadline

By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

With the trade deadline set for April 3, USA TODAY Sports hockey columnist Kevin Allen looks at who'll be buyers, sellers and traders before the 3 p.m. ET deadline.

Anaheim Ducks (buyer): GM Bob Murray might make a move as a reward for what his organization has accomplished: The Ducks are playing better than expected, and he re-signed Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. He is looking for a center.

Boston Bruins (buyer): GM Peter Chiarelli was happy to move the rights to Tim Thomas earlier this season to clear up space. They would like another scorer and/or a veteran defenseman. So far, he came up short in the Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow sweepstakes and picked up winger Kaspars Daugavins off waivers from the Ottawa Senators..

Buffalo Sabres (seller): GM Darcy Regier says there are no untouchables. Veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold will be unrestricted free agents next summer. Jochen Hecht could also be moved. Teams will inquire about Drew Stafford.

Calgary Flames (seller): The Flames moved Iginla to the Penguins, landing a first-round pick and two college players who aren't considered blue-chip prospects. GM Jay Feaster's hands were tied by Iginla's no-trade clause. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester could be moved if the return were strong enough. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, whose son recently was born, told management that he wouldn't report if traded, according to Sportsnet. Feaster doesn't like the word "rebuild," but he did indicate he wants to get younger.

Carolina Hurricanes (buyer): GM Jim Rutherford has been in discussions to acquire a defenseman for many weeks.

Chicago Blackhawks (buyer): This team is fine the way it is, but GM Stan Bowman would like to land a checking center to play on the third or fourth lines.

Columbus Blue Jackets (trader): GM Jarmo Kekalainen says he wants to look at deals that improve his team now but won't do anything to compromise long-term goals. In other words, he's still more interested in moves that give the Blue Jackets the greatest value a couple of years from now. Kekalainen will get calls about potential free agent Vinny Prospal.

Colorado Avalanche (seller): Colorado is in a prime seller's position but doesn't have many assets to move. Many teams want Ryan O'Reilly, but Colorado can't deal him for a year because of the matched offer sheet.

Dallas Stars (buyer and seller): The Stars probably should be a seller, but they are trying to make the playoffs. They have traded Brenden Morrow and got back young defenseman Joe Morrow. Several teams seem interested in center Derek Roy. Would they consider moving Jaromir Jagr? They would like to re-sign him.

Detroit Red Wings (buyer): Although it appears the team needs defensive help, the team has played well defensively for a while. They could use a proven scorer.

Edmonton Oilers (buyer and seller): Defenseman Ryan Whitney will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and several teams would be interested. Ladislav Smid is in the same position, but the Oilers have been trying to re-sign him. The Oilers would like to acquire some pieces that could help them now.

Florida Panthers (seller): The last-place Panthers should be a prime feeder for the trade market, but their most desirable players, Stephen Weiss and Kris Versteeg, are out for the season.

Los Angeles Kings (buyer): Now that Iginla has gone to Pittsburgh, they might stand pat because GM Dean Lombardi doesn't see the trade market as having many attractive options. They do need a defenseman. A few teams will call about backup goalie Jonathan Bernier.

Minnesota Wild (buyer): The Wild are looking for scoring help but don't have an abundance of cap space and don't want to part with prized prospects.

Montreal Canadiens (buyer): GM Marc Bergevin needs cap space going forward, but he's not likely to move out any key players. The team is playing too well to disrupt its chemistry. He might add a role player, but the best move might be to stand pat.

Nashville Predators (buyer): The Predators have picked up their scoring, but it would make sense to add another proven scorer. The team has some depth at defense to move.

New Jersey Devils (buyer): GM Lou Lamoriello has added Alexei Ponikarovsky and Matt D'Agostini and he's expected to be active again before the deadline. Scoring depth is an issue, particularly with Ilya Kovalchuk injured.

New York Islanders (trader): The team is fighting to land a playoff spot, and GM Garth Snow has to consider moves to help the team now. He has been talking new contracts with potential free agents.

New York Rangers (buyer and seller): The Rangers have been looking for a point-producing defenseman since the season began. They would move Marian Gaborik, but he has another season left at $7.5 million, plus a no-trade clause. They brought back Mats Zuccarello.

Ottawa Senators (undecided): GM Bryan Murray wants to wait until he has the latest medical reports on Jason Spezza before deciding whether to make moves. If Spezza will be back soon, Murray might make a move or two to complement what he could bring.

Philadelphia Flyers (buyer): GM Paul Holmgren is looking for a blue-chip defenseman. Potential trade asset Danny Briere is out with a concussion.

Phoenix Coyotes (trader): With attendance still an issue, the Coyotes need to make the playoffs. They need scoring help, and defenseman Keith Yandle could be moved to acquire a proven forward.

Pittsburgh Penguins (buyer): Although the Penguins have added Iginla, Morrow and Douglas Murray, they have enough cap space to make another move. The Penguins are all-in in their efforts to win the Stanley Cup this season.

St. Louis Blues (buyer): They want a defenseman to play in their top four, but GM Doug Armstrong probably won't get that done before next summer.

San Jose Sharks (trader): GM Doug Wilson wants to keep them in contention while moving out some players. Ryane Clowe and Dan Boyle are generating the most trade buzz. Clowe is a potential unrestricted free agent, but Boyle has another season left at a $6.6 million cap hit. He will be more difficult to move.

Tampa Bay Lightning (trader): The Lightning don't have potential free agents, and the players who GM Steve Yzerman might want to move have tougher contract situations. The Lightning might be idle.

Toronto Maple Leafs (buyer and seller): GM Dave Nonis wants to upgrade his team and undoubtedly will consider his goalie options. He could move Clarke MacArthur, whose contract expires this summer.

Vancouver Canucks (buyer): GM Mike Gillis wants to add a third-line center or defenseman but has limited cap space to accomplish that objective. It's not likely that Gillis would trade goalie Roberto Luongo to open up space.

Washington Capitals (undecided): The Capitals are in the midst of a challenging fight to make the playoffs. That complicates the decision-making on productive Mike Ribeiro. He seemingly will want to test the free agent market July 1. They'd command a strong return if they offered him, but they need him to make the playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets (trader): The Jets have played well enough that they have to consider only deals that help them now. If the team opts to trade potential unrestricted free agent Nik Antropov, they would have to get a player who could play now. It will be difficult to trade potential free agent Ron Hainsey without disrupting the defense. He's playing 23 minutes a game.