The National Hockey League's trade deadline has been somewhat of a disappointment over recent years. The big blockbuster deals have been few and far between.
Nonetheless, despite the poor precedents, the trade deadline is still one of the most anticipated days for hockey fans.
This year, there is no shortage of big-name stars such as Jarome Iginla, Roberto Loungo, and Marian Gaborik apparently on the block.
Here is a look at 10 players that could be on the move before the April 3 trade deadline.
1. Jarome Iginla, wing, Calgary Flames (7.00 cap hit) - It is simply long overdue for the Flames to deal Iginla and start their rebuild. With Iginla in the last year of his deal, it's now or never for Calgary to cash in on some rebuilding pieces for the 35-year-old winger.
According to Elliotte Friedman on CBC's Hot Stove, the process of finding a new home for Iginla has already started. He has apparently given the Flames a short list of teams he will accept a trade to, partially waiving his NTC. It is speculated that his list consists of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Los Angeles Kings.
The 6-foot-1, 202-pounder isn't the same Iginla who scored 50 goals in 2007-08. But he still has some left to give, potting eight goals and 21 points in 29 games this season.
2. Brenden Morrow, wing, Dallas Stars (4.10 cap hit) - Morrow is one of the most respected team captains in the league. He would be a huge addition on and off the ice for any team aiming to take a run at the cup.
Morrow's point production is on the down swing. After scoring 33 goals in 2010-11, the Carlyle, Sk., native potted 11 goals in 57 games last year and has 11 points in 29 games this year. Therefore, it seems the 34 year old, who is on the last year of his deal, would fit into a third-line role on a cup contender.
3. Mike Ribeiro, centre, Washington Capitals (5.00 cap hit) - The Capitals are outside the top eight in the Eastern Conference, so it would make sense for them to trade Ribeiro, who is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Although the 6-foot, 176-pound centre's antics on the ice make him a little less appealing, Ribeiro is still one of the top playmakers in The Show. He has racked up 70 or more points in three of the last five seasons. This year, the 33 year old hasn't let up, scoring 10 goals and 34 points in 31 games.
4. Ryane Clowe, wing, San Jose Sharks (3.62 cap hit) - Clowe just can't buy a goal this year. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound winger is scoreless throughout 25 games, only having nine assists to his name.
It seems trading Clowe won't be easy with the Sharks not willing to give him away and teams leery on giving up a lot for the pending unrestricted free agent because of his lack of scoring success this year.
If the trade market for Clowe is weak and the reports of him wanting to stay in San Jose are true, it might make sense for both parties to sign him to a short one-year deal. After all, the Sharks have been vocal that they want to get tougher, so trading Clowe would be a step in the wrong direction. And for Clowe, it would give him more time to prove to San Jose that they should lock him up long-term for a decent chunk of change.
5. Derek Roy, centre, Dallas Stars (4.00 cap hit) - Roy is a pending unrestricted free agent, so it would make sense for the Stars to deal him in a year where they are a far cry from a contender.
Roy, 29, would be a great addition to a team lacking a second-line centre. The 5-foot-8, 188-pounder, who has scored four goals and 18 points in 26 games, possesses strong play-making abilities and can put the puck in the back of the net, too.
6. Roberto Loungo, goaltender, Vancouver Canucks (5.33 cap hit) - That's right, Loungo is still in Vancouver. He was supposed to be dealt in the offseason then the first two weeks in the season then the next two weeksnow here we are at the end of March.
Apparently, Canucks GM Mike Gillis is asking for a boatload for Loungo's services. There is no denying Loungo is one of the top goaltenders in the league; however, his long contract and questionable playoff performances makes him a tough sell.
It seems Loungo will stay put at the trade deadline unless Gillis lowers his asking price or a team gets desperate for a goaltender. So the Loungo trade talk will likely carry over to the entry draft.
7. Jay Bouwmeester, defenceman, Calgary Flames (6.68 cap hit) - Bouwmeester has been the Flames' whipping boy since arriving in Calgary in 2009. Sure, he hasn't quite lived up to expectations, but for the most part, the criticism has been unfair. It appears it would be best for both parties to part ways.
Teams that lack stability and a puck mover on the back end, such as the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, could undoubtedly use Bouwmeester. But the deal would have to include an exchange of serious salary, which isn't easy to do.
If Bouwmeester is dealt, it will be interesting to see if he brings his playoff curse with him. The 6-foot-4, 214-pounder hasn't made the playoffs since minor midget. A real eyebrow raiser is that he never made the playoffs in his two years in the Western Hockey League with Medicine Hat Tigers. But the Tigers have made the playoffs every year since Bouwmeester left for the NHL in 2001.
8. Robyn Regehr, defenceman, Buffalo Sabres (4.02 cap hit) - Regehr is in his last year of his contract with the Sabres. But he does have a no trade clause, so his upcoming future is in his own hands.
The 6-foot-3, 226-pounder would be an ideal pickup for any team aiming to take a run at the Stanley Cup. He has over 12 NHL seasons and a cup run in 2003-04 under his belt, blocks shots, lays the body, and is a leader in the room.
9. Drew Stafford, wing, Buffalo Sabres (4.00 cap hit) - After scoring 30 goals in 2010-11, Stafford's production has dropped. He only mustered 20 goals last year and has four goals in 31 games thus far this season.
It seems Stafford doesn't have much trade value with a 4.0 cap for two more seasons. However, since he's only 27 years old and has an appealing 6-foot-2, 214-pound frame, there should be a team or two willing to take a flyer on him.
10. Marian Gaborik, wing, New York Rangers (7.50 cap hit) - Wait, what? Gaborik is available? Well according to several credible media outlets, including TSN, the Rangers are open to trading the Slovakian sniper if a deal "makes sense."
The Rangers' poor 15-13-2 start to the season is partially because of Gaborik not living up to expectations in The Big Apple. The 31 year old has only scored nine goals and 18 points in 30 games, showing a clear-cut drop in performance from his previous 41-goal season.
New York Post columnist Larry Brooks has reported that the Rangers already have Gaborik's list of 10 teams in his no trade clause that he can be dealt to. But taking into account Gaborik's high cap hit and that the Rangers will want a high-end player in return, it seems the 6-foot-1, 204-pounder won't be going anywhere.
Update: The Dallas Stars have traded Brenden Morrow to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
