The NHL's Feb. 29 Trade Deadline is approaching and teams are making decisions on whether to buy or 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.

Capital Gains?

Chuck Gormley of CSN Mid-Atlantic thinks the Capitals are in the market for a defenceman and that Vancouver Canucks rear guard Dan Hamhuis would be a good fit. 

He mentions that Hamhuis is in the final year of his deal and would cost the Capitals a pro-rated $700 thousand against the cap for the remainder of the season. 

Gormley wonders if the Capitals would part with their first round pick in the deal and if that would be enough of a return for the Canucks.

Hamhuis has been out since December 9th when he took a Dan Boyle shot to the face and suffered facial fractures, he is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday.


Marleau Movement?

Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area says that if the San Jose Sharks are going to make a big move his season it will “almost certainly” involve dealing Patrick Marleau.

Earlier in the season it was reported that Marleau was willing to accept a trade to the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks or New York Rangers.

When asked if he expects to be a member of the Sharks after February 29th, Kurz reports that Marleau replied, “I just worry about playing.”

Kurz says the Sharks most pressing need is on the blue line and that physicality could be the most important target for an upgrade.