The NHL trade deadline may have been the final act for some general managers.

With only three weeks left in the season, all 30 teams tried to tweak at Wednesday's cutoff to make trades, but a chosen few were more desperate than others because their jobs are on the line if they don't make a playoff push.

Here's a look at some GM's in trouble:

Greg Sherman, Colorado: Many believe he's in over his head and he'll be the first one gone with coach Joe Sacco. The betting money is former star Joe Sakic takes on the lead role to try to get the Avs back to respectability.

Many believe he's in over his head and he'll be the first one gone with coach Joe Sacco. The betting money is former star Joe Sakic takes on the lead role to try to get the Avs back to respectability. George McPhee, Washington: Trying to save his butt, he dealt Filip Forsberg to the Predators for Martin Erat. The Caps might squeeze into a playoff spot, but Forsberg and Russian prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov have been available all season.

Trying to save his butt, he dealt Filip Forsberg to the Predators for Martin Erat. The Caps might squeeze into a playoff spot, but Forsberg and Russian prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov have been available all season. Jay Feaster, Calgary : Was getting rid of Jarome Iginla, Blake Comeau and Jay Bouwmeester enough to save Feaster? Hardly. A lot of speculation about the future of president Ken King, as well. The Flames' situation is fluid.

: Was getting rid of Jarome Iginla, Blake Comeau and Jay Bouwmeester enough to save Feaster? Hardly. A lot of speculation about the future of president Ken King, as well. The Flames' situation is fluid. Dale Tallon, Florida: He all but assured the fan base the club would make the playoffs this season. The signings of Sean Bergenheim, Alexei Kovalev and Ed Jovanovski were disastrous and the team has taken a major step back.

THIS 'N' THAT

The career of Marian Gaborik hasn't followed the path he expected. Dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline, it might be a good time for somebody to remind the 31-year-old winger how he turned down a long-term, $79-million deal from Minnesota Wild in 2009 because he thought he could get $100 million as a UFA. Instead, Gaborik signed a five-year, $35-million deal and was run out of New York by coach John Tortorella. So much for the bright lights of the big city. The Jackets were the only team interested in the $7.5 million left on Gaborik's contract next year ... The Jackets will deny it, but sources confirmed GM Jarmo Kekalainen did offer one of their three No. 1 picks in the first round to the Dallas Stars for Jaromir Jagr. He landed with the Bruins instead, but the Jackets were in there right until the end. The Red Wings made a pitch, as well. Shrewd move by GM Peter Chiarelli, Jagr could be Boston's next Mark Recchi.

OFF THE GLASS

League sources say a decision on the future of the Phoenix Coyotes is imminent. While NHL commissioner Gary Bettman leads with an iron fist, his leadership took a hit during the 113-day lockout and I'm told he's getting heat from owners to settle this mess. "In Canada, the fans have been very forgiving," said a league executive. "There are 20 owners in the United States who are sick of writing cheques for $1 million to prop this thing up." The decision that makes the most sense: Relocate to Quebec City and keep the Jackets in the Western Conference until the NHL expands to 32 teams. The league, however, doesn't always do what makes sense, which means the Coyotes will likely be relocated to Seattle ... A guy who has put himself on the radar screen for a trip to Team Canada's Olympic evaluation camp this summer: Senators defenceman Marc Methot. He's being considered for an invite and has suited up for Canada at the world championships in 2011.

RUMOURS DU JOUR

San Jose GM Doug Wilson toyed with dealing defenceman Dan Boyle until the club went on a five-game winning streak. The Flyers, Rangers and Wings all showed interest. With $6.6 million left on his deal, this is a move Wilson can still make in the off-season because his club is in a good playoff position. Yes, they dealt winger Ryane Clowe to the Rangers, but the reality is the Sharks ended up buying by adding blueliner Scott Hannan and winger Raffi Torres. Wilson did a good job getting help ... Speaking of Clowe, he gave up on his sign-and- trade demand from teams when he couldn't find anybody willing to give him an eight-year deal in the range of $51/2-6 million per season. There is a belief he will stay with the Rangers ... Insisting he is happy to stay in Winnipeg, forward Alexander Burmistrov wouldn't have accepted a change of scenery. The Jets -- insert denial here -- shopped him hard because Burmistrov, 21, clearly isn't coach Claude Noel's cup of tea. The Devils and Sabres had interest on deadline. In the end, Regier wouldn't deal winger Drew Stafford to Winnipeg for Burmistrov ... The Coyotes tested the waters to see what they could get for defenceman Keith Yandle. The asking price was high, which is why he wasn't dealt. He is another candidate to move this summer.

THE LAST WORD

Keep an eye on Minny forward Dany Heatley. After acquiring Jason Pominville from Buffalo, nobody would be surprised to see Heatley bought out of the final year of his $7.5-million deal ... Confirm or deny: The Leafs asked the Canucks to pick up part of the salary remaining on goalie Roberto Luongo's contract right at the last minute in trade talks. He has nine years left with a cap hit of $5.3 million and talk is Vancouver GM Mike Gillis wasn't pleased with the request ... Expect the Philadelphia Flyers to thank coach Peter Laviolette for his service at the end of the season.

Have a nice Sunday.

bruce.garrioch@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @SunGarrioch