Don't rule out a Stamkos trade

Points to ponder as the National Hockey League trade deadline approaches ...

1. Steven Stamkos could still be traded.

Contrary to perception, Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman could still trade the Lightning captain. Yzerman just won't do it by the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
By announcing that he will not move Stamkos between now and the end of the season, Yzerman has covered the bases -- and his backside. The decision means that Stamkos, one of the best players in the world, can still help the Bolts push for a playoff spot, the star centre and the team will not be distracted by trade speculation, and Yzerman can still try to get his best player signed to a new contract.
If contract negotiations do not go as planned, Yzerman still has the option of trading Stamkos around the time of the NHL Draft or prior to the opening of free agency.
Stamkos would still have to agree to a trade, which means that he might not go at the draft, because he will want to choose where he plays next. But it's feasible that he could consent to a trade prior to becoming a free agent, because he would not have to relocate and could simply wait until his contract expires.
If Yzerman deals him prior to the free agent frenzy, the Lightning could still get a decent return, the team that acquires him would have an exclusive negotiating period. If the team that acquires him fails to strike a deal, it could trade him before free agency opens.
A similar scenario occurred in 2010 when Dan Hamhuis made it known that he would not re-sign with Nashville. The Predators dealt him to Philadelphia for a conditional 2011 draft pick and Ryan Parent. When the Flyers could not sign Hamhuis, they traded him to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick. The Penguins were also unable to ink him to a deal, and he eventually chose to sign with Vancouver.
In the case of Stamkos, a team, say Toronto, could give up more if it feels quite confident about signing him.

2. Canucks are in a rebuild

Despite recent reports suggesting otherwise, the Canucks are in a rebuild.
It is ludicrous to suggest that owner Francesco Acquillini is opposed to one, because eight players have made their NHL debuts with Vancouver this season, and four are currently with the team. Also, the Canucks only have 13 players who were with the team at the start of last season.
If Acquillini was unhappy with president Trevor Linden and GM Jim Benning's current strategy and philosophy, he would fire them, but he hasn't.
The Canucks are not done dealing and will be sellers at the trade deadline to free up more salary cap space and have access to more young talent. That means the likes of defenceman Hamhuis and winger Radim Vrbata, among others, could be moved.

3. Willie Desjardins needs PR tips

Somebody needs to tell Canucks coach Willie Desjardins not to be so self-critical.
He blamed himself for losses to lowly struggling Toronto and Minnesota clubs in the past two games. Never mind that most of the Canucks' offensive players have trouble hitting the broad side of a barn with their shots these days.
The fact is that the Canucks can't score enough goals, and that problem is due more to a lack of production from veterans than poor coaching. And, it should be noted, the veterans' offensive troubles began well before Desjardins arrived.
Desjardins is still keeping the Canucks within spitting distance of a playoff spot despite numerous injuries and the integration of young players as part of the aforementioned rebuild. He has come under criticism for repeatedly rolling four lines, but what's the use of going with three lines if only one of them can score consistently? If he reduces the fourth line's ice time, the Canucks could be more vulnerable defensively, and they will not score more goals. And, key players like Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Jannik Hansen could be vulnerable to increased fatigue and injuries.
Desjardins' primary fault when it comes to PR is that he is serious and introspective publicly, in contrast to other moments away from the cameras when he is much more jovial and happy-go-lucky. But it's hard to be happy-go-lucky when you don't have enough consistently scoring veterans to work with.
 
4.  Goalies could be on the move

This year's trade deadline could feature more goaltenders than usual as teams try to improve their playoff hopes and others try to get value for impending unrestricted free agents.
The Montreal Canadiens, in danger of missing the playoffs after a phenomenal start to the season, could be inclined to acquire a goaltender as Carey Price remains out with an injury. Meanwhile, other teams might be interested in Carolina's Cam Ward, who has won a Stanley Cup, Calgary's Jonas Hiller, Toronto's James Reimer, San Jose's Alex Stalock or L.A.'s Jhonas Enroth. All could help in the stretch drive.
Vancouver's Ryan Miller still has a year to go on a contract that pays him $6.5 million annually, but the Canucks might be inclined to move him as Jakob Markstrom continues to progress. Miller would have to agree to a deal, but might be willing if he feels the new team's Stanley Cup hopes are strong. The new team could then buy out Miller in the off-season.

5. Some big names could change teams

With Stamkos staying in Tampa, some other big names, who are also destined to become UFAs, could change uniforms at the deadline. The others include Carolina's Eric Staal, Florida's Brian Campbell, Vancouver's Vrbata, Arizona's Shane Doan and David Backes of the St. Louis. Staal, Doan and Backes are captains, adding more captain-related intrigue to a season that has already seen the speculation on Stamkos and former Maple Leafs skipper Dion Phaneuf move to the Ottawa Senators.

6. Expect the unexpected

In keeping with most trade deadlines, some unexpected deals will inevitably stun fans. The main question is: How many of these will occur?