NHL Trade Rumor Roundup: Derek Roy to Vancouver? Trade Market Drying Up?

The Dallas Stars could potentially be fairly active on the trade front, leading up to the April 3 deadline, and it's understandable that fans are eager to discuss all of the possibilities. Over the coming weeks, we'll post a trade rumors roundup thread every other day or so to provide an official thread to discuss all of the speculation floating around the hockeysphere.

We'll only post links to "reputable" sources on these rumors and speculation, but take all of this with a grain of salt.

*Elliotte Friedman of the CBC has his 30 thoughts for the week and starts off discussing how teams are discouraged by the current trade market. A combination of tightened standings -- which leads to teams hesitant to sell off assets -- along with a lower cap for next season has created a significant supply-and-demand effect on the prices of players that are actually available. [CBC]

"Right now, general managers will tell you that prices are outrageous and there's three reasons for that," stated Friedman on Hostove on Saturday night. "Right now in the West nearly every team is still in it, there are very few teams who are out. Number two, the cap next year will be at $63.4 million and no one wants to take on salary and number three, they don't like the free agent market and if they want to improve it's going to have to be through trade."

*Friedman also specifically mentions Jaromir Jagr as a player that could be moved at the deadline, with teams not as concerned this time around about a late-season wearing down from right winger. That means that, in a "depleted market" that the Stars have Derek Roy, Jagr, and Brenden Morrow as possible trade pieces -- if the Stars did go this route, a nice little hefty haul could be had if Nieuwendyk sticks to his guns if he does indeed seek trades.

*I don't know if you've heard, but Roy is constantly being linked to Vancouver right now. Remember, last season the Stars reportedly tried to send center Steve Ott to the Canucks but balked when they couldn't get Cody Hodgson in return. Could the Stars, with the reduced market, get someone like Jordan Schroeder and a high pick for Roy?

**Mike Ribeiro, who leads the Capitals in scoring, is also a possible center on the move at the deadline. Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentions Ribeiro, Jarome Iginla, Robyn Regehr, Ryan Whitney, Jordan Leopold, Anton Babchuck, Ladislav Smid and Milan Hejduk as all possible rental players the Penguins could target ahead of the April 3 deadline.

*Damian Cristodero speculates on whether Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning could part ways, stating that it would make sense for the right wing and GM Steve Yzerman to at least have a conversation about the possibility.

*Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports the Blue Jackets could move R.J. Umberger, Derick Brassard, Vaclav Prospal and/or Adrian Aucoin at the deadline.

*The always reliable Bruce Garrioch says the Buffalo Sabres are close to "blowing up" their roster, save for Thomas Vanek and Cody Hodgson. Tyler Myers could be available, but I doubt anyone takes that contract.