The NHL's March 1 Trade Deadline is fast approaching and teams are making decisions on whether to buy, sell, and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out today's trade rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.

 

Defensive Depth

The Buffalo Sabres are five points out of the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and might consider selling at the Trade Deadline. According to ESPN's Craig Custance, defenceman Dmitry Kulikov is a player many teams will have interest in acquiring. The 6-1, 204 pound Russian has just one goal and one assist in 27 games this season, but logs a ton of minutes and could be a solid depth defender for a playoff contender.

Kulikov, 26, missed considerable time this season with a back injury, but seems fully healthy now. This is the final season of the three-year, $13 million contract he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2014.  

 

Decision Time

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made deep playoff runs in each of the past two seasons, but are in serious trouble of missing the postseason this time around as they sit tied for last in the Eastern Conference.

The tough situation may lead to the Bolts dealing goaltender Ben Bishop, who's slated to become a free-agent on July 1.

ESPN's Scott Burnside says teams who have big question marks between the pipes, but are still battling for spots in the playoffs may have interest in the 30-year-old from Denver. 

Burnside mentions the Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames and St. Louis as possible candidates.

Bishop is 13-12-3 with a 2.69 GAA and a .907 save percentage over 29 games with Tampa this season, his fifth with the club. 

 

Many Possibilities

Sarah McLellan of AZcentral Sports recently listed members of the Arizona Coyotes who could be on the move before March 1.

On the top of the list and third on TSN's Trade Bait board  is 6-6 centre Martin Hanzal, who will become a free-agent at season's end. Defenceman Michael Stone, 40-year-old captain Shane Doan, veteran winger Radim Vrbata and fourth liner Ryan White are also on McLellan's list.  

One interesting name McLellan mentions is young forward Anthony Duclair. The 21-year-old Montreal native scored 20 goals and added 24 assists in his rookie campaign last year, but has only nine points in 41 games this season. According to McLellan's sources, Duclair should get some trade interest over the next few weeks, and not just from teams contending for playoff spots. 

Although, Arizona will likely ask for a lot when it comes to Duclair which could lead to Duclair staying with the Coyotes. 

 

From TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger

Dreger: Canadiens are definitely reaching out about players

Does Dreger still believe in the Habs?

Dreger: Cheveldayoff in the hunt for a top defenceman

TSN Hockey insider Darren Dreger joins Hustler & Lawless to discuss some of the recent dismissals of coaches like Claude Julien, which other teams could make moves at head coach, and why Tyler Myers’ long-term absence has Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff looking for a blue-line replacement.

 

From Pierre McGuire

McGuire: Dallas could be busy at the trade deadline

NBC's Pierre McGuire on the controversial offside call that lead to Minnesota's second goal, Chicago vs. Minnesota would be a great series, injuries hampering the Stars, Patrick Eaves, Senators and Habs tough schedule.