Eastern Conference: which players could be on the move?

ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside takes a look at 13 pending free agents from the Eastern Conference that could change teams before the February 26 trade deadline.

Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals (unrestricted free agent}
There are a strange set of circumstances unfolding in Washington as the once-dead Caps crawled to within a point of the Southeast Division lead at the break. They did so in spite of pretty ordinary goaltending from the classy veteran Kolzig, who has recorded a save percentage of more than .900 in just three of his past 11 games. Could GM George McPhee find a team looking for veteran backup help a la the Calgary Flames, who recently signed Curtis Joseph? The New York Rangers, perhaps? Or San Jose Sharks?

Brian Campbell, Buffalo Sabres (unrestricted free agent}
The plot thickens in Buffalo, or sickens if you’re a Sabres fan. Campbell won’t talk contract with the Sabres until after the season. The team will be life-and-death to make the playoffs and GM Darcy Regier can hardly afford to let another key piece of his franchise take a powder without getting something in return. And Campbell, an All-Star and strong candidate for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team, is the best defenseman who could be available on the market. The New York Rangers need help defensively, as do the Sharks.

Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators (unrestricted free agent}
Interesting choices face Ottawa GM Bryan Murray. He’d like to bring in Peter Forsberg if the talented center is healthy, but he also has to keep one eye on the future. Ottawa has pretty good defensive depth, so it’s unlikely he’ll offer Redden a contract for the $6.5 million he’s making this season. Would he deal Redden to, say, Edmonton, for some offensive depth if he can’t land Forsberg? There are few quality defensemen who could be on the move, so the asking price will be high.

Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay Lightning (unrestricted free agent}
Boyle has missed all but five games this season, but he did return to action just before the break and netted two goals against Ottawa. GM Jay Feaster is already in a salary-cap predicament with his three top forwards (Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards). The question is whether Feaster can afford to lock up Boyle — a fine, underappreciated defenseman and another likely member of the 2010 Canadian Olympic team — without shedding one of the so-called triplets. The Bolts have little in the way of top prospects ready to play in the NHL and they need to restock the cupboard. The Rangers, Bruins and Sharks might be interested. If the Sens moved Redden, Boyle (an Ottawa native) would be a natural fit.

Marian Hossa, Atlanta Thrashers, RW (unrestricted free agent}
The top player that could be available on the market. GM Don Waddell will make one last-ditch effort to re-sign Hossa this week, but as one top agent told ESPN.com, there’s “not a chance” Hossa will sign in Atlanta. One of the top two-way players in the game despite an off year offensively (45 points in 49 games), Hossa should yield an attractive package of top picks, prospects and/or young NHLers. San Jose (possibly for center Patrick Marleau), Vancouver or Colorado could all use offensive help and Hossa could deliver. Hossa does not have a no-trade clause; hard to imagine a team acquiring Hossa without believing they could sign him long term.

Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, C (unrestricted free agent}
There is still much debate about whether Sundin will waive his no-trade clause to allow the Leafs to restock their shelves. As a center enjoying his most productive season in years (54 points in 51 games at the break), Sundin should bring a premium package. Anaheim could use depth down the middle, while Vancouver, Colorado, Calgary and Philadelphia all have the needs and assets to put a deal together. Look for Jeff Carter to be part of any deal involving the Flyers. Sundin’s value will also go up if Forsberg can’t return or signs early.

Darcy Tucker, Toronto Maple Leafs, RW (three years left on four-year deal; $3M annual cap hit}
The Leafs will be in sell-off mode in the coming days (why else would they bring in interim GM Cliff Fletcher if not to clear the decks) and there might be some interest in the scrappy forward if a GM thinks he might be able to rekindle the fire that seems to have gone out this season for Tucker. His $9 million over three years will be a tough sell, though. He might fit well with Mike Keenan in Calgary, and Tucker is a Western Canadian boy.

Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs, LW (four years left on five-year deal, $4M annual cap hit}
Speaking of the Leafs’ yard sale, Fletcher will no doubt be working the phones to try and find a taker for the fiery winger, who has grossly underachieved this season (just nine goals after a career-best 40 in 2006-07). Would the Islanders, who struggle to attract top free agents, want Blake back?

Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers, RW (unrestricted free agent}
If the five-time scoring champ doesn’t collect 84 points and the Rangers don’t win at least one playoff round, then Jagr would become an unrestricted free agent. The team is on the playoff bubble, which raises the issue of whether GM Glen Sather would risk moving the talented 36-year-old winger, perhaps for defensive help, or seeing Jagr walk away for free in the offseason.

Mark Recchi, Atlanta Thrashers, RW (unrestricted free agent}
Just when it looked like it was over for the two-time Cup winner, Recchi has revived his career in Atlanta. He has 20 points in 23 games with the Thrashers, playing mostly with Ilya Kovalchuk. Still, does Recchi, who turns 40 this week, fit in long term on a team that needs to stop filling its lineup with castoffs and develop its own players? No. But Recchi might find a home on a playoff-bound team looking for scoring depth.

Bobby Holik, Atlanta Thrashers, C (unrestricted free agent}
Sources tell ESPN.com the New Jersey Devils inquired about Holik before the season, dangling John Madden. Why the Thrashers wouldn’t have jumped at such an offer is mind-boggling, but we digress. Holik was once considered one of the top shut-down playoff men in the business and may still have limited value on the open market. The Devils would be a good place to start.

Glen Murray, Boston Bruins, RW (one year left on contract; $4.15 million}
The big forward has missed 14 games and counting with a hip flexor injury and doesn’t fit into the Bruins’ plans moving forward. He’s a big ticket, but for a team with cap room and offensive needs like the Vancouver Canucks, it might be a good fit.

Michael Ryder, Montreal Canadiens, RW (unrestricted free agent}
The Newfoundland native scored 30 goals in each of the first two seasons after the lockout, but is having a miserable campaign in 2007-08 with just eight goals in 44 games. That said, Ryder has come around of late with two goals in the past four games. He might not yield much for the Habs, but there will certainly be interest. Perhaps from Colorado? The Avs are in desperate need of offensive help with Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth on the injury shelf.