The most enticing of all rumors is that of Tampa Bay Lightning Center Brad Richards. The Jackets have been in dire need of a true No. 1 Center since the inception of the franchise and Tampa seems to be more on the salary dump than anything else.

A few factors possibly hindering the trade possibility:

• The Jackets unwillingness to part with their top prospects Goalie Steve Mason and Forward Jakub Voracek.
• Along with no prospects getting involved the Jackets will not move Zherdev, Nash, Leclaire, Russell, or Brassard, thought to be the core of the teams present and future.

Things encouraging the move:

• Jackets need for a No. 1 Center. As with the entire NHL the CBJ have needed a true center for a very long time and the possibility of getting one is finally here. Richards averaged 56 assists/season of the previous 4 years to this one. The single season Jackets assist record is 52 by Ray Whitney.
• This could be the move that pushes Columbus over the hump. Imagining Richards playing between either Nash and Modin or Nash and Zherdev is almost a little fantasy world and could quickly elevate that top line to the level that the Senators Heatly-Spezza-Alfredsson line is thought of.
• Tampa Bay needs to clear cap room. The Jackets are one of a few teams that can absorb the type of salary that Richards is making, $7.8 Mil through the 2010-2011 season. Which could lead to the fact that the Jackets won’t have to give up much in return.

My thought, send Defensemen Ron Hainsey or Rostislav Klesla, and Forwards David Vyborny or Manny Malhotra to Tampa Bay for Brad Richards and a draft pick.

Word is that the Devils are interested in Robert Lang and Martin Havlat of the Chicago Blackhawks, as well as Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning, pending unrestricted free agent Marian Hossa of the Atlanta Thrashers, and UFA Peter Forsberg.

On a lesser scale, Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Devils have some interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Manny Malhotra.

The defensive-specialist would come much cheaper than the aforementioned players, both in terms of assets and salary, but would not provide the scoring punch the other do. Malhotra makes $1.5 million this season.

Meanwhile, one player that hopes to stay in New Jersey past the February 26 trade deadline, is pending UFA forward Arron Asham.

Asham tells Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger that he hopes that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello doesn’t move him before the trade deadline and the two sides can work out a contract extension instead.

“Definitely. I like it in New Jersey. Lou has brought me here for a reason,” Asham said. “I have to go out there and get a couple goals or start a fight. I hope there is a spot for me here. This is definitely an exciting time of year. Hopefully I’ll be a part of the Devils for the playoffs.”

Pending unrestricted free agent forward Sergei Fedorov and defenseman Adam Foote would grab more attention, though the Blue Jackets “would not be interested in dealing” either of them “until closer to the Feb. 26 trade deadline.”

Kulfan also suggests that Edmonton Oilers pending restricted free agent defenseman Tom Gilbert could be seeking upwards of $3 million per season. The Oilers would prefer to pay less than that.

Lastly from Kulfan, he wonders if the Toronto Maple Leafs fall out of playoff contention before the trade deadline would they shop pending UFA forward Mats Sundin?

Don’t ask Sundin for an answer, though. The Swedish Star remains intent on keeping his club in the chase.

“We have to keep the faith, but at the same time realize we have to play better,” he said. “We have to realize if we put a couple of good weeks together, we have a chance to be in the playoffs.”

While Montreal Canadiens pending UFA goalie Cristobal Huet remains the subject of trade rumors, he “appears to be an untouchable” according to Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette.