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Which Western players could end up on the block?

by Spector

At home in Prince Edward Island, Canada, he's known as Lyle Richardson. But around these parts, he's known as Spector, FOXSports.com's Prince of Pucks. Check in with Spector's Blog on FOXSports.com for NHL rumors and analysis.


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Updated: September 8, 2008, 6:37 PM EDT
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With NHL training camps opening soon and the start of the 2008-09 season less than a month away, here's a look at the players from each Western Conference team whose names could soon appear in this season's trade rumor mill. (Players in the East will come next week.)

Anaheim Ducks: Mathieu Schneider. Ducks GM Brian Burke hopes to re-sign winger Teemu Selanne, but to do that he must first free up salary-cap space. Schneider's $5.6 million salary for this season appears the prime candidate to be dealt at some point in September.

Calgary Flames: Adrian Aucoin. The Flames need to dump salary and Aucoin's $4 million for this coming season has made him a frequent subject in the rumor mill. He's got a no-trade clause but waived it to go to Calgary and could do so again for the right destination.

Chicago Blackhawks: Nikolai Khabibulin. The Blackhawks' signing of veteran goalie Cristobal Huet this summer means Khabibulin's days in Chicago are numbered. His expensive salary for this season ($6.75 million) could make him a tough sell at this point but between now and the February trade deadline he's likely to be moved.

Colorado Avalanche: Ian Laperriere. His gritty style makes him a fan favorite, but he's also an unrestricted free agent next summer. If the Avalanche are out of the playoff race by February, he could be shopped to a playoff contender.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Fredrik Norrena. He's been a capable backup to Pascal Leclaire, but he could find himself challenged by young netminder Steve Mason. If Mason proves ready to slide into the backup role Norrena, who's also a UFA next summer, could be shopped.

Dallas Stars: Joel Lundqvist. Only 26 but eligible for UFA status in 2009, it's possible he could be moved by the trade deadline if the Stars are unable to re-sign him. Lundqvist could have value to rival clubs seeking checking line depth.

Detroit Red Wings: Derek Meech. General manager Ken Holland recently told the Detroit media he'll need to slash $100K - $300K in payroll prior to the start of the upcoming season. Given his blueline depth, a defenseman is likely to move. With the Wings about to re-sign Kyle Quincey it could be Meech — one of the Wings' least-experienced defensemen — who may be dealt.

Edmonton Oilers: Dwayne Roloson. With Mathieu Garon poised to take over as starting goalie and Jeff Deslauriers knocking on the door, the Oilers may end up carrying three goalies to start this season. That could make 38-year-old Roloson the odd man out.

Los Angeles Kings: Derek Armstrong. At 35, he's now the elder statesman on a young Kings team and is still a very good checking forward. He's also a UFA next summer and could end up shopped by the trade deadline if management feels he no longer fits into their plans.

The Wild want Marian Gaborik around, but if talks don't go well with his upcoming free agent contract, he may be sent to another team. (Scott A. Schneider / Getty Images)

Minnesota Wild: Marian Gaborik. Management doesn't want to lose him after this season to free agency and are currently in talks with Gaborik for a new contract. But they also acknowledge the possibility of examining trade options should those talks reach an impasse. Expect a significant bidding war if the Wild put Gaborik on the trade block.

Nashville Predators: Greg de Vries. Another veteran player eligible for UFA status next summer, the Predators could try shopping de Vries to playoff contenders seeking blueline experience if they are out of the race by February.

Phoenix Coyotes: Derek Morris. Like several others on this list, he is eligible for UFA status next summer. The Coyotes could try to retain him if they're in the midst of fighting for their first postseason berth since 2002. But if they're out of the race again by February, Morris could hit the trade block.

San Jose Sharks: Kyle McLaren. With the Sharks acquiring Dan Boyle, Rob Blake and Brad Lukowich this summer and with Christian Ehrhoff, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Doug Murray showing improvement, the oft-injured McLaren could find himself the odd man out on the Sharks' blueline this season, making him potential trade bait.

St. Louis Blues: Paul Kariya. He has two years left on his contract and a no-movement clause but also struggled last season on a still-rebuilding Blues team. One shouldn't rule out the possibility he might want to move on later this season if the Blues are out of the playoff chase by February.

Vancouver Canucks: Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks need to bolster their scoring depth at forward and Bieksa is the only notable defenseman on their blueline corps lacking a "no-trade" clause. He's also signed for the next three seasons, which might make him more palatable to rival teams.

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