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.
 

Blessing in Disguise?

The cap-strapped New York Rangers might have to treat the returns of Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash like trade deadline acquisitions.

With first-year GM Jeff Gorton holding little cap space, his most prudent action if the team keeps winning might be to get people healthy and trust this core one last time, writes Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.

McDonagh’s unknown timetable certainly makes it less likely that Keith Yandle will be traded. However, it was never a given Gorton would move the pending unrestricted free agent if this team could start to win.

Bolts' blueline blues

The Tampa Bay Lightning already appeared in need of help on defense for its playoff push. Then came Thursday's news that veteran defenceman Jason Garrison is expected to be out 3-5 weeks with a lower-body injury.

According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Garrison's absence could make it even more of a priority for GM Steve Yzerman to address his blueline before the Feb. 29 trade deadline.

Garrison, who got hurt in the first period Monday in Ottawa, is steady top-four defenceman and key penalty killer. He is one of the team leaders in blocks and hits, averaging the third most average even-strength ice time (16:18 per game).