Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman is investigating the trade market to improve his club ahead of the February 27 trade deadline, according to a recent segment of SportsNet’s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker.

Bowman is said to be intent on the Blackhawks recapturing the Stanely Cup this season, and believes is only a couple of players short of a roster that could accomplish that. The HockeyCentral panel reports that Bowman is looking to add a veteran top-six forward — preferably a center — and a top-four NHL caliber defenseman to fill out the Blackhawks’ bottom pair.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun also reports that a number of teams, including the Blackhawks, will explore the possibility of trading for Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller should he become available. However, the HockeyCentral panel shot down any suggestions the Blackhawks will look to make any changes between the pipes.

The HockeyCentral report is more in line with what Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times also reported recently.

According to Jahns, the Blackhawks have been linked to Edmonton Oilers pending free agent center Sam Gagner — a friend and ex-teammate of Patrick Kane’s — and that the Winnipeg Jets have kept a close watch on their games. Before becoming the general manager of the Jets, Kevin Cheveldayoff was a part of the Blackhawks’s front office so he is familiar with the players.

Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Jahns suggests that a couple of Carolina Hurricanes players may be two worthwhile options to investigate — forward Tuomo Ruutu, and former Blackhawk, and defenseman Tim Gleason. However, the price for Gleason is said to two first round draft picks or a first round pick and a top prospect, according to Garrioch.

Jahns notes that the asking price for Drew Stafford, Derek Roy and Brad Boyes of the Buffalo Sabres, and the Anaheim Ducks’ Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Francois Beauchemin, is also high and wouldn’t make sense for the Blackhawks to pursue.

Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk lists a number of pending UFA defensemen that may become available: Hal Gill of the Montreal Canadiens, Pavel Kubina and Brett Clark of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bryan Allen of the Carolina Hurricanes, Adrian Aucoin of the Phoenix Coyotes, Andy Sutton of the Edmonton Oilers, and Steve Staios and Milan Jurcina of the New York Islanders.

Bowman is said to be willing to part with draft picks, prospects / AHLers (such as forwards Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin and defensemen Shawn Lalonde and Brian Connelly), and depth players off his roster, for the pieces he’s looking to bring in. Defenseman Dylan Olsen, center Kevin Hayes and winger Brandon Saad are believed to be off limits.

Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini could be taking calls on a number of players.

Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

One of them is forward Ales Hemsky, according to the Edmonton Journal and NHL general manager and SportsNet analyst Doug MacLean.

I would say he most definitely will be traded at the deadline. This guy is a pretty good hockey player… but for whatever reason, this season he simply hasn’t been able to get it done. His durability comes into major question.

MacLean adds that the Oilers may not receive as much as they think for Hemsky.

I don’t see teams paying a big price.

Fellow SportsNet analyst Nick Kypreos suggests that the pending unrestricted free agent could be much sought after since as many as 15 teams are looking to add a top-six forward. The list includes the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and the Washington Capitals.

There’s a lot of teams right now looking for a top six forward and he certainly fits the bill.

The Edmonton Journal believes that the surprising Senators — looking to bolster their offence for a playoff run — could be a major player for Hemsky.

As for what the Oilers would want in return Hemsky, the consensus is that they need a puck-moving defenseman — someone like Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators.

However, the Predators may not want to move Ellis because a) of fears they may lose Ryan Suter via free agency this summer and don’t want to deplete their blueline, and b) Hemsky is a rental.

The Edmonton Journal quotes an NHL scout saying that the Predators may have some interest in another Oilers forward — one with more grit.

I think the Predators would rather have Ryan Smyth if he was available than Hemsky.

Ryan Smyth is unlikely to go anywhere, though. There’s very little chance he waives the no-trade clause in his contract to accommodate a trade.

The Oilers are also said to covet Buffalo Sabres’ Drew Stafford. However, the Sabres are looking to add a top-six forward and the Oilers don’t have anyone to trade them that would qualify. Including Hemsky, who is more of a depth player now than a front-line player.

Meanwhile, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that Nikolai Khabibulin could also be on the move. While Tambellini isn’t shopping the veteran goalie, teams in need of an upgrade between the pipes could come calling. Garrioch expects the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs to be among the teams interested.

Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Lastly, Edmonton Journal’s Jonathan Willis suggests that veteran defenseman Andy Sutton could pique the interest of teams looking to shore up their depth to their blueline with some sand paper.

As things stand now, things are setting up to be a sellers market. It appears that a high number of teams are looking to acquire a scoring forward or two, while not many are currently available.

Here’s a look at the latest rumors by position.

Forwards

USA Today’s Kevin Allen reports that the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are also interested in a scoring forward, while ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun adds the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings to the list.

Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun reports that Ottawa Senators will look to add some offense to their forward ranks if they remain a playoff team.

Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

TSN’s Darren Dreger believes that the Columbus Blue Jackets will shop high-priced forwards Jeff Carter, Antoine Vermette and Derick Brassard. However, Jason Brough of NBC Sports’ Pro Hockey Talk blog suggests that it might make more sense for Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson to move the recently-acquired Carter during the off-season.

In Anaheim, the Ducks’ Bobby Ryan is still hearing his name in trade rumors. He has been since November of this year. And as he tells Eric Stephens of the OC Register he has not spoken to Ducks general manager Bob Murray about the possibility of his departure from Southern-California.

Other players that are rumored to be available includes Drew Stafford of the Buffalo Sabres, Tuomo Ruutu of the Carolina Hurricanes, pending unrestricted free agents Vinny Prospal and Samuel Pahlsson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers. But with the high demand, and low supply, price will be high.

Defensemen

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason. Photo courtesy Flick user RangerRick.

Nashville Predators’ Ryan Suter may become available if the club doesn’t get him re-signed before the deadline.

The Hurricanes’ Tim Gleason may be coveted by playoff bound teams looking for a tough-minded defenseman. The Flyers may look into him if the asking price for Suter is too much.

Goalies

LAKingsInsider.com’s Rich Hammondwonders whether the Kings may move Jonathan Bernier. With Jonathan Quick’s sensational play this season, Bernier hasn’t seen much action and has been relegated to the backup role. He could garner quite the return on the trade market, since “highly regarded around the league as a potential future NHL No. 1 goalie.”

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

TSN’s Darren Dreger suggests that the Oilers will listen to trade offers for Nikolai Khabibulin. Due to their inexperience in net, the Oilers would require another goaltender in return for Khabibulin.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun also reports that the San Jose Sharks are shopping Antero Niittymaki. The pending unrestricted free agent is currently on a conditioning stint with the Sharks’ AHF affiliate.

Despite signing Brian Elliott to a two-year contract extension, St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong tells ESPN that he is not looking to move backup Jaroslav Halak.

At least that’s what NBC Sports hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick believes (see above video). And he’s not alone. There are many in the hockey world wondering when Buffalo Sabres management will do something to shake up the struggling club.

The Sabres hit a new low this season Monday night in a 5-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Franchise goalie Ryan Miller was pulled from the game in the second period after allowing all five goals on just 14 shots.

Miller wasn’t the only one to blame, though. The defense was soft and sloppy. The forwards could produce any offense.

But according to Miller’s much publicized rant (see video below) after the loss, a trade won’t help the club’s fortunes as much as he and his teammates can.

Scott Burnside of ESPN agrees. The Sabres could try to add players to their roster to perhaps give them a spark. They could also start dumping some of their underachievers — but they’d be selling low at this point with some many of their players having terrible seasons.

Still ESPN’s Pierre Lebrun reported recently that Sabres general manager Darcy Regier has been working the phones in an attempt to find a deal to better his roster.

[A trade] will be the next move for the Buffalo Sabres if Darcy Regier has his way. I’ve talked to other teams around the league over the last week. Regier is doing his homework. He’s talking trade with teams. What he’d like to do is move a top 6 forward in return for a top 6 forward. Easier said than done. Drew Stafford, Derek Roy, Brad Boyes – those are names that I’ve been told are in play for the Buffalo Sabres. Not every team in the league is going to want to move a top 6 for a top 6, but that’s what he’s trying to do.

Buffalo Sabres forward Drew Stafford. Photo courtesy nhlpa.com.

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal suggests that the Edmonton Oilers should investigate trading for forward Drew Stafford.

Doing nothing is also a possibility, one that may suit Sabres owner Terry Pegula just fine.

My attitude now is, ‘Let’s put Humpty [Dumpty] back together again.’ I want our players to know that I thought we had a pretty good hockey team until all this happened. Let’s paste it back together and start a new season.

Pegula may have a point. But if the Sabres have any intentions of saving this season something will have to give — and sooner rather later.