TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes are awaiting an answer from pending unrestricted free agent forward Tuomo Ruutu on their latest contract offer.

And they have set Wednesday as a deadline.

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told Chip Alexander of the Charlotte Observer February 16 that the parameters for a contract extension were know to both sides at that time.

Both sides have a full understanding of the parameters and now we have to see where it goes. This is not something that has to drag on. We’ve gone through how it would work, for both sides — the upsides, the downsides. By the first of next week we should have a better understanding of where the situation stands.

On a recent segment of SportsNet’s Sources Say, the panel reported that Ruutu wants a six-year deal — the priority for Ruutu is term — at a little less than $27.0 million in total. The Hurricanes are said to be offering no more than four years, due to their concerns that since the 29-year-old plays a hard-hitting, tough, gritty game, he may break down part way through his multi-year deal.

Should Ruutu turn down the Hurricanes’ offer, it’s believed he will be dealt prior to the February 27 trade deadline.

However, that is not a priority for the Hurricanes. Rutherford added back on the 16th that he was focused on getting Ruutu signed and has not shopped him.

I haven’t even looked at that. For seven to 10 days now we’ve been moving forward on trying to get the contract extension done.

Rutherford would not have to look hard to find suitors for his player, if he were to changes his mind.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Ottawa Senators, along with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators are interested in acquiring Ruutu’s services.

The Hurricanes want a top prospect (like Mark Stone or Stefan Noesen from the Senators, which they would balk at) along with a first-round draft pick return, according to Garrioch.

Still, some suggest that because Ruutu is currently injured, and out of action for two to three more weeks, teams may back off or accept the fact that he won’t play for them for some time.

The consensus in the media is that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke will not make a big splash before this year’s trade deadline.

The veteran GM told Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun during the Winter Classic announcement in Detroit that part of the problem is that the trade market is — and has been for the entire season — cold.

It’s very quiet.

Burke has always tried to avoid deadline day shopping because of his belief that prices are always too high, as he reiterated to Kevin Allen of USA Today several days ago.

Do a graphic for any year — the math doesn’t work. Fourteen to 16 teams add players. Prices are inflated, and there is one Stanley Cup parade at the end of the season. The trade deadline is a pit of quicksand.

While Burke may not go without tinkering with his roster this trade deadline, he may shy away from making bigger deals if he feels the cost is too much. As Doug MacLean noted, Burke doesn’t want to sell the farm and deplete his farm system for short-term gains.

Because the trade market is dead, Burke tells Craig Custance of ESPN he may have to wait for deadline day to make his moves.

I think people know I’m not a deadline guy, but we might have to do our stuff at the deadline because there’s [expletive]-all happening now.

So, what type of players would Burke want to add?

Aside from desperately wanting to add a top-six forward with size who can score — which, as Bob McKenzie of TSN points out, aren’t widely available — SportsNet’s Patrick Hoffman has Burke also wanting to add a two-way forward.

Philadelphi Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk.

Philadelphia Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk, a Burke trade target in mid-January, is currently still out of action with a concussion. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Maple Leafs have interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter, but Burke isn’t too keen on taking on his long-term contract. The Anaheim Ducks aren’t trading Bobby Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf. And the Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t as keen on dealing Ryan Malone, another former Burke target.

With news that Rick Nash has handed a list of teams — with the Maple Leafs being one of them — where the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowed to trade him to, it would make sense that Burke will explore the possibility of landing the big power-forward. However, there are some challenges on that front, as we already discussed.

Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star has an in-depth analysis of a trade for Edmonton Oilers‘ Sam Gagner, and a similar breakdown of a potential deal for Carolina Hurricanes pending unrestricted free agent forward Tuomo Ruutu.

Any of these players would come at a high cost. So, which players and assets might Burke be willing to make available?

Hoffman lists current roster players Nikolai Kulemin, Clarke MacArthur, Cody Franson, and Luke Schenn as potential trade bait, while McKenzie adds Carl Gunnarson.

Burke may also put pending unrestricted free agent forward Mikhail Grabovski in play. Word from TSN’ Darren Dreger is that the Maple Leafs have been offered “a second-round pick and a prospect” that Burke believes can upgrade to a first round draft pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Colborne.

Garrioch reported on February 4th that the Maple Leafs are also willing to part with prospects Joe Colborne or Nazem Kadri (specifically for Ruutu).

While Burke may not feel the same way yet, Colborne told Koshan a couple of days ago that he would like a shot to be the type of player for the Maple Leafs that the club is looking to bring in from outside the organization.

I want to be the one the Leafs look (upon) to be their No. 1 go-to guy. It’s something I’m striving for. When I wake up every day and come to the rink, that’s the goal I have.

As for the rumors, Colborne says that he would prefer to remain in Toronto if it were up to him.

It’s old hat for me. I know Nazem (Kadri) has been in a bunch of (rumours) and we joke about it. People make it seem like we are so worried about it, but it’s really a relaxed atmosphere. I love being in Toronto and that’s where my focus is.

On the latest segment of SportsNet‘s Sources Say, the panel reported that the Carolina Hurricanes are trying to work out a contract extension with pending unrestricted free agent forward Tuomo Ruutu. Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News, reported the same thing recently.

The club believes that he would be hard to replace on the open market and want to re-sign him.

Speculation is that the player is seeking around $4.0 million per season, but dollars may not be as important to him as term. Ruutu may take lass money in exchange for a long-term deal.

Ruutu shares an agent with fellow countryman Ville Leino, who received a six-year, $27.0 million deal last summer. That may very well be the template that Ruutu would like to use for his contract.

But if the two sides can’t come to an agreement, Gleason believe that Ruutu will likely be dealt before the deadline. The Finnish forward, who has 17 goals and 28 points in 55 games, would be a great addition to teams looking for a secondary scorer that plays with grit.

The Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings are among those teams.

According to Barry Melrose of the NHL Network, defenseman Hall Gill and pending UFA forward Travis Moen of the Montreal Canadiens could attract a lot of attention from playoff bound teams looking to add size and veteran playoff experience before the February 27 trade deadline.

Melrose speculates that high-profile players such as pending unrestricted free agents defenseman Ryan Suter of the Nashville Predators, forward Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils, and forward Tuomo Ruutu may follow his Carolina Hurricanes, will be put on the trade market by their respective teams, so secondary players may become much sought after.

That’s where Gill and Moen come in.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun and Kevin Allen of the USA Today believe that the Canadiens will move Gill by the trade deadline. The 6-7, 240-pound blueliner could draw many suitors due to his hard-nosed style of play and his Stanley Cup ring.

Allen reports that the Chicago Blackhawks are shopping for a blueliner and may look at Gill among others.

Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post Dispatch has the St. Louis Blues being interested. CBC’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this month that the Blues had three scouts at a recent game between the Winnipeg Jets and Canadiens watching a left-side defenseman, thought to be Gill.

According to Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe, the Boston Bruins may look to add to their blueline. Gill would be one of several options.

Montreal Canadiens forward Travis Moen.

According to the Toronto Sun, the Canadiens like what Moen brings to the table but wouldn’t mind moving the former Anaheim Duck because (1) they don’t think they can fit him under the salary cap, and (2) they would like want to give their prospects more playing time.

Like Gill, Moen has won a Stanley Cup and has been a great playoff performer while being a defensively responsible forward and playing a gritty game. As Allen point out, Moen would be much sought after by contending teams.

So far, LeBrun reports that the Pittsburgh Penguins are interested. Dave Lozo of NHL.com has the Detroit Red Wings looking at him as a possibility.

The Toronto Sun reported recently that there is “growing interest” in Moen, with the San Jose Sharks in hot pursuit.

The report also mentions that before teams trade for Moen, they will want to see how he comes back from an upper-body injury he suffered January 21st. Moen has just resumed light skating and is expected to be out for at least another week.

SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel recently are reporting that there’s been lots of calls made to the Carolina Hurricanes about the availability of forward Tuomo Ruutu ahead of the February 27 trade deadline.

But despite reports to the contrary from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun and TSN’s Daren Dreger, a move doesn’t appear to be imminent.

The HockeyCentral panel say that Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford is not enamored with the offers he has been receiving thus far and may wait until just before the trade deadline to make a move.

On the flip side, there are some general managers who believe that the asking price — thought to be a first round draft pick and a top prospect — is too high at the moment. So they’re not ready to make a deal either.

Reports earlier in the week had a number of teams — including the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks — interest in acquiring a proven playoff performer who can provide some grit and a scoring touch like Ruutu.

The Ottawa Senators are also one of those teams, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. However, Garrioch notes that Senators general manager Bryan Murray is one of the GMs who believe the asking price is too high.

You inquire with several teams about what they might be looking for or doing, but nothing in any detail. Any team in our spot has needs. If there’s an upgrade available in a couple of spots, we would really look at it.

Garrioch has also reported numerous occasions that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be interested in Ruutu.

Kevin Allen of USA Today suggests that Ruutu would be a good fit for the Nashville Predators to bolster their forward group. And show pending pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Ryan Suter that they’re serious about winning at the same time to persuade him to remain with the club.

Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa suggests some time back that the Boston Bruins may pursue the Ruutu — as they have done in the past — to add some depth to their bottom two lines.

Meanwhile, Garrioch reports that the Hurricanes have actually held talks with Ruutu — who is an unrestricted free agent come July 1st — about a contract extension. However, it appears as he may have priced himself out of Carolina. It’s rumored Ruutu is seeking somewhere between $4.0 and 4.5 million on the open market.

What that means is the Hurricanes will more than likely trade Ruutu before the deadline.

SportsNet‘s HockeyCentral Trade Tracker panel recently analyzed the situation of three Canadian teams in the Eastern Conference heading into the February 27 trade deadline.

Here is a quick look at what they discussed (see video for more details):

The Montreal Canadiens are still undecided whether they’ll look to add to their roster or auction off some veterans. The Canadiens do have some players that playoff-bound clubs team may want, like Hal Gill and Travis Mowen.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

In Ottawa, the rebuilding Senators will have to decide if they’re a buyer or a seller. Carolina Hurricanes‘ forward Tuomo Ruutu may be a target, but they won’t overspend to get him — or anyone else.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t get a goaltender. But they will try to find a number one center, or a top-six winger — Tampa Bay Lightning‘s Ryan Malone is at the top of their list, with San Jose Sharks‘ Ryan Clowe, Dallas Stars‘ Brenden Morrow, and Ruutu close behind.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone. Photo courtesy Flick user bridgetds.

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.

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.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland tells Khan that while the priority is the February 27 trade deadline, he and his staff will put together a more comprehensive plan going forward.

We’ll go over all the teams, we’ll go over our team, the real emphasis is on the trade deadline. But there’s also free agency on July 1. We’ll go over what we think we need and what might be out there for the trade deadline and also free agency.

Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Khan suggests that the Red Wings’s immidiate focus will be on bolstering their forward group with a scoring winger and/or “an abrasive third- or fourth-line forward.” The names being floated around have been that of Carolina Hurricanes’ Tuomo Ruutu, Edmonton Oilers‘ Ales Hemsky and Anaheim Ducks’ Teemu Selanne. Selanne has long been a target of the Red Wings in the past, but have always failed to acquire. Should the Ducks make him available the Red Wings may make another attempt.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bryan Allen. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News also believes that Hurricanes defenseman Bryan Allen and New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov may also be in the mix.

With $5.7 million of salary cap space at their disposal, the money is there to bring in a number of depth players before the deadline. Or perhaps go after an impact player. Not so fast, says Holland. The Red Wings GM is looking to add a more of a “complementary piece than a star player” and aren’t interested in parting with anything other than “draft picks, middling prospects and/or fringe players.”

Barring some star player getting moved, the trade deadline is about adding the right pieces, complementary pieces to fill out your roster. There’s the odd trade at the deadline that changes the balance of power, but at the end of the day, when I look at the Vancouver Canucks last year, they made some real nice trades at the deadline that gave them some depth, brought them some grit and were important players. Boston made two or three trades as well. They weren’t the big names, they were guys that were the perfect fit.

With both Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes and Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames highly unlikely to be put on the trade market by their respective teams, high profile names may be few and far between.

The Ducks may decide that in addition to a veteran like Selanne, they may explore the possibility of trading stars Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan, but the asking price (rumored to be established NHL players) may be too rich for the Red Wing’s blood.

That could leave New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise and Nashville Predators’ defenseman Ryan Suter as the biggest names in play this trade deadline.

Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.

Both are impending unrestricted free agents and may be shopped if they can’t be re-signed by their respective clubs before the 27th of February. However, the Red Wings may opt to keep the assets they would have to trade for Parise and Suter, and go after them in the summer when they be acquired for money alone.

Regardless, Holland expects things to heat up witching the next month or so.

Some teams are going to see in the next 4-5 weeks if they’re playing their way into being a buyer, a seller or sort of status quo. Last year, (deals) started to happen a month out, early February, so we’ll see.

And he’ll be prepared for whatever comes his way.

We like the way the team has performed. A lot of people have had good first halves. But the trade deadline is coming. We have a lot of cap space. We’ve done a lot of drafting and developing since 2005, saving our picks. I don’t know if we have to do anything, but certainly in the next six weeks we’re going to explore.