Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini told reporters Monday that he is open to all possibilities that may be presented to him coming up to the February 27 trade deadline.

However, Tambellini emphasized that that doesn’t mean he will mortgage the club’s future for quick fixes. What it means is that pending unrestricted free agent forward Ales Hemsky and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin may find themselves being shopped around.

Ryan Smyth would have been included on that list, but he and the Oilers agreed not to part ways.

As for Ales Hemsky, it look like he’s a goner. A contract extension doesn’t appear to be in the works, so a trade may be the alternative.

SportsNet’s Scott Morrison suggests that Khabibulin could be on the move, as well. There are a couple of teams that may find themselves calling the Oilers to inquire about Khabibulin’s availability.

The Chicago Blackhawks have lost nine games in a row and there’s a chance they could be looking to shore up their goaltending situation soon.

Khabibulin’s former team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, also has issues between the pipes that they might look to fix with their former netminder.

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

However, Morrison points to the year left on his contract and his $3.75 million salary as perhaps a deterrent for teams looking to acquire the 39-year-old former Stanley Cup winner.

Meanwhile, forward Sam Gagner‘s trade value has never been higher, but the Oilers are unlikely to move him.

The consensus in the hockey world at the moment is that Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will not be moved before this year’s February 27 trade deadline. Nor is he being shopped, says Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

The reasons, as Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal points out, are two-fold. After a 7-0-2 start, the 39-year-old has struggled to maintain a level of play that would show playoff-bound teams he would be a useful acquisition. Secondly, he carries a $3.75 million cap hit for this season and next.

The SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel also added (see video above) that there is a limited market for goaltenders, with perhaps the Chicago Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs being among a short list of teams looking for help between the pipes. Garrioch adds the Tampa Bay Lighting as another potential suitor, who may be interested in re-acquiring Khabibulin.

Still, the Oilers will listen to offers for their netminder if they are presented with any, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. That may only happen should a number one goaltenders fall to injuries before the trade deadline.

If that were to occur, what might the Oilers want in return? The HockeyCentral panel suggests the Oilers would try to pry away a number 5-6-7 defenseman, but would settle for a second or third round. Dreger, however, believes that while the Oilers like their goaltending depth, they are all young and inexperienced so the club would be looking for a goalie in return.

In the end, though, Willis suggests that the Oilers are stuck with Khabibulin until his current deal runs out, at which time they can look for a replacement.

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.