Stan Bowman and George McPhee find themselves almost in lockstep as the trade deadline draws closer. The respective general managers for the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals have a plethora of prospects, a solid core in tact and still the need/want to upgrade their current rosters for the playoff push.

Let's start with the Capitals and McPhee, who is notorious for keeping his mouth shut at this time of the year. He picked up Marco Sturm off waivers from Los Angeles, which for all intents and purposes is a solid, no-lose move. But, are we really to believe that Sturm, who has had both of his knees operated on since 2008, is the difference-maker McPhee was hoping to land?

Sturm is a nice asset to have, a solid veteran who can play a good two-way game. He's probably suited for third-line duty to start, but that doesn't answer the Capitals need for a second-line center or a top-six scorer. Sturm used to be that and may very well be again, but it would be a stretch to think he can be that for the Capitals this season.

So, what does McPhee do? Ales Hemsky would be a nice addition, but Paul Stastny would be a better one because he will fill that second-line center role better than anyone available who isn't named Brad Richards. However, according to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post, Stastny probably won't get moved. The Caps would have to shed salary to make it happen.

Let's move on to Hemsky, who could play on the Caps first or second line. Washington might have to give up one of its goalies, Semyon Varlamov or Michal Neuvirth, to get him, and McPhee has been reluctant to move off his stance that the club is going with those two in net.

Perhaps the more attainable player is someone like New Jersey's Jason Arnott, who also would fill that hole in the middle of the Caps' second line and wouldn't cost nearly as much as someone like Stastny or Hemsky.

Washington isn't likely to trade top prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov, but center Cody Eakin, defenseman Dmitry Orlov and goalie Braden Holtby could draw decent returns. Holtby in particular could be an interesting asset to peddle if McPhee doesn't plan to move Varlamov or Neuvirth. The Devils would have to be interested in acquiring a young goaltending prospect.

What about Bowman and the Hawks? They have plenty of draft picks that could be up for grabs in the right deal, and wouldn't seem to be put off by a rental either considering their core is locked up and already have plenty of their 2011-12 cap space tied up into 11 players (12 if you include young defenseman Nick Leddy).

Leddy, Kyle Beach, Dylan Olsen, Ivan Vishnevskiy, Jeremy Morin could all be in line to make the big club next season, joining Michael Frolik, Bryan Bickell, Jake Dowell and Viktor Stalberg as the role players behind the core guys.

All that being said, perhaps David Booth could be an intriguing option for the Blackhawks even though he's signed for four more seasons at $4.25 million. The Hawks would have to move some salary back to Florida to make the deal happen, but with former GM Dale Tallon now manning the Panthers' post it's not unreasonable to think a deal could be made.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

It's the morning before the big deadline day and there are several interesting reports/columns out there in the hockey world mentioning plenty of teams that could be busy between now and 3 p.m. ET on Monday.

Let's start in Buffalo, where new owner Terry Pegula could be interested in making a big splash, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. He linked the names Brad Richards and Paul Stastny to the Sabres, who are 2-0-1 since Pegula officially became the team's owner early last week. Buffalo is two points out of eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Nobody from Colorado has said that Stastny is definitely in play, but after making the playoffs last season and taking a step back this season it wouldn't be totally ridiculous to think that GM Greg Sherman is thinking about taking the team in a new direction. He has already traded Chris Stewart for Erik Johnson and Craig Anderson is now in Ottawa. Stastny doesn't seem likely to move, but we've seen stranger things.

Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk hasn't denied that Richards is in play, but there is a conundrum there that he has to deal with.

With back to back wins over Detroit and Nashville the Stars are now seventh in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the ninth place Blackhawks. Richards (concussion-like symptoms) hasn't played since Feb. 13 and Dallas doesn't play again until Tuesday, when it starts a four-game road trip in Phoenix.

His value remains high despite the uncertainty surrounding his symptoms and we've seen reports saying the Rangers and Kings could be interested as well. Teams will want some certainty that Richards, a pending UFA, will be able to return soon, before they make a play for him. But, with that same certainty Nieuwendyk may choose to keep him for a possible playoff run.

It's silly to say that a GM has to make a move at the deadline, but the Kings' Dean Lombardi could be thinking that way. His team has forgotten about its dreadful 2-10 stretch from Dec. 23-Jan. 20 and has won 11 of its last 15 games to pull into fifth place in the Western Conference. Of course, they're only four points away from 10th, so Lombardi might feel compelled to do something before Monday's deadline to make sure that the team is situated well for the stretch run.

If Lombardi is looking to make a splash, say for Richards, Edmonton's Ales Hemsky or Florida's David Booth, the deal would probably have to include prospect Brayden Schenn. Lombardi told Fox Sports West on Saturday, "quite frankly, I don't think he's going anywhere." He couched that statement by saying it would have to be a "really special" return, but we believe him when he says Schenn is staying put.

How about this swing by veteran Edmonton Journal scribe Jim Matheson: Hemsky to Atlanta for young defenseman Zach Bogosian? Matheson spoke to Thrashers GM Rick Dudley, who didn't deny such a move could take place but did say that any move for Bogosian must include a return that bolsters the team now and for the future. The Oilers would need to give more than Hemsky to get a defenseman that could turn into a stalwart on their blue line for years to come.

It might be a pipedream, but at least it's food for thought.

Sunday's game in Sunrise, Fla. could be a defining game for the New Jersey Devils and what GM Lou Lamoriello chooses to do before the deadline.

The Devils have miraculously pulled themselves back into the playoff conversation, but they remain 11 points out of the eighth spot with Buffalo, Atlanta, Toronto and, yes, Florida, between them and Carolina. They are a major longshot to make the playoffs for the 14th straight season and a win Sunday wouldn't change that, but a loss could be devastating and convince Lamoriello to give up on the season and move some assets that could at least get some marginal returns. Jason Arnott would be at the top of that list, though he would have to waive his no-trade clause.

Finally, I'll just toss this out there to see if it sticks anywhere, with Martin Brodeur starting Sunday for the first time since Feb. 6, what about trading Johan Hedberg to a team that needs some goaltending depth? He could wind up with a contender and the Devils could always re-sign Moose in the offseason. Odds are his experience in New Jersey, which has been excellent, would be enough to convince him to return.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

Vancouver is down five defensemen (six if you include minor-league call-up Lee Sweatt), but there are a myriad of reasons why GM Mike Gillis isn't likely to make a big splash into the blue-line waters come 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 28.

Prior to the hockey world learning of Kevin Bieksa's foot injury, which could keep him out a month, Gillis told Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca that the Canucks have enough salary cap space to add a $1 million player. But, that's only for now because that money truly doesn't exist when you factor in the eventual returns of Bieksa, Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis before the end of the regular season.

The Canucks have to have cap space to bring those guys back in, which is why they probably won't add anyone of great significance, if they add at all, unless they are willing to subtract from the current roster. We could see them trying to deal Sami Salo, but he's their No. 2 defenseman behind Christian Ehrhoff until the injured guys return, which likely won't be until after the deadline.

"It probably doesn't cause me to rethink strategy," Gillis told Spector. "The fact is, we have to have space to get guys back into our line-up after the trade deadline. We may not have space to make any deals."

Gillis doesn't have to either. The Canucks have positioned themselves for a high seed, likely No. 1 unless these injuries cause a prolonged slump, so the GM can quietly sit back and watch all these other teams make moves while he waits for his guys to return.

Ballard (knee) and Hamhuis (concussion) are expected back before the playoffs. Alex Edler (back surgery) and Andrew Alberts (broken wrist), who are both on long-term injured reserve, could be back during the playoffs when there is no salary cap. Bieksa's status had not been updated by the team as of Thursday afternoon.

"I don't know why we would (trade a roster player)," Gillis said. "We're in first place, and we've lost maybe the most man games of any team in the League. I can't see a circumstance where we're trading a player off our roster at this point in time."

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Toronto GM and President Brian Burke said Thursday on NHL Live! that Tomas Kaberle has not been asked to waive his no-trade clause, has not given the Maple Leafs a list of teams he's willing to go to, and that any reports suggesting a deal with Boston is imminent are completely false.

Now, we understand that Burke has to say this now, especially if a deal is in place and waiting for sign-off from Kaberle. Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com reported earlier Thursday that the package Toronto will receive from Boston for Kaberle includes Blake Wheeler and a draft pick.

However, Burke, who was talking to hosts E.J. Hradek and Don LaGreca, said the Leafs are still talking to multiple teams about Kaberle and that he hasn't spoken to the puck-moving defenseman. Burke spoke about honoring Kaberle's no-trade clause even though he wasn't the one who gave it to him. John Ferguson was the Leafs GM who signed Kaberle to his current contract.

Burke actually said he isn't sure if Kaberle will be traded, though the odds of him being moved eventually, perhaps as early as today despite what he said, are still very high.

Burke said he has been talking with Kaberle's agent, Rick Curran, "who asked for radio silence" on the situation. He said Kaberle's no-trade clause does not prohibit him from talking to other teams about potential trades. He also said he can "almost promise" more activity from the Leafs before the Feb. 28 trade deadline.

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Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly are gone, and Senators GM Bryan Murray indicated Tuesday night that more will follow those two out of Canada's capital city over the next 12 days.

"I've got two players gone. If you're going to try to retool the organization there have to be more than that go," Murray told reporters during his press conference to announce that Kelly had been traded to Boston for the Bruins' second-round pick in 2011. "There have to be doors open for other people. You can either do it or not do it. It's hard to do, but we're doing it. We're going to retool the budget, we're going to retool the organization and there are going to be some painful nights here."

There have been plenty already. Until recently the Senators have been barely competitive on most nights. They are 2-13-5 over their last 20 games and have fallen behind the Devils and Islanders into last place in the Eastern Conference. They're only three points better than the Edmonton Oilers.

"We've had such a dreadful year, such a disappointing year for what we thought we were going to be," Murray said. "This is the end result."

So, who is next to go? If you're paying attention you keep hearing that Chris Phillips, Jarkko Ruutu and Alex Kovalev are most definitely available. They're all in the final year of their contracts. Chris Neil is another name that has been mentioned. He has two years and $4 million left on his contract. Filip Kuba, who has one more year on his deal, could be had, too.

Murray said he has a list of guys that are untouchable, but he specifically mentioned only captain Daniel Alfredsson and All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson on Tuesday.

"I am not trying to trade everybody," Murray said. "I'm trying to move some other people, but it's certainly not a housecleaning by any means."

Nobody would blame him if it was.

He'd probably love to move Jason Spezza, who is making $7 million per season through 2015, but that doesn't seem likely. Sergei Gonchar, signed for two more years at a $5.5 million cap hit, would also appear untradeable because of his contract and age.

However, Murray clearly has been given the green light to blow up the team and start over. He said he has spoken to Colorado GM Greg Sherman and Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini about the difficulties of a rebuilding project, but is confident that it's the only way for the Senators to go right now.

He won't even speculate on how long it will take for the Senators to become a contender again.

"I'm hoping that we're competitive right away, but I'm not going to suggest that because it's the wrong thing for me to say," Murray said. "All I can tell you is we're going to try to put young people on some spots on the team, and we're going to try to encourage them to play hard every night and be a fun team to watch."

Who will be in that mix?

Well, Karlsson for sure, and probably goalie Robin Lehner as well. Defensive prospects Jared Cowen, David Rundblad and Patrick Wiercioch are on the come and should all have a shot to make the team out of camp next season. Ottawa doesn't have as much forward depth in its system, but Zack Smith and Bobby Butler are getting some NHL experience lately.

"I'm not going to pick the team tonight," Murray said. "We'll wait for that.

"With two first-round picks and two second-round picks we can do something to help this team by the fall. That's my main objective right now."

Who knows how many more picks and prospects he'll stockpile before 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 28?

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

LAS VEGAS -- Jesse Brewer is 4 years old and he lives in a city, Las Vegas, that doesn't have an NHL team but still he can name 15 teams in the League and proudly roots for the Los Angeles Kings. Jesse also knows who Wayne Gretzky, which is why it was such a thrill for him to have his blue helmet signed by The Great One on Friday.

Since he's 4, Jesse obviously didn't provide the fullest quotes when I asked him what it was like to get Gretzky's autograph, but the smile on his face was all we needed to see.

Jesse's father, Justin, who nearly broke my computer on Thursday when he kicked the cord, was as excited for his little boy. Justin is trying to teach Jesse about the game and says he's getting there. He called him a little rink rat.

Gretzky noticed that, too. When Jesse approached him for the autograph -- he was the first of many kids at the Las Vegas Ice Center who got The Great One's to sign something -- Gretzky said, "I saw you here yesterday, don't you go to school?" Jesse quickly said no and Justin chimed in that he already graduated.

It drew a good laugh from the people surrounding Gretzky, who was sitting on a picnic table in between the two rinks here at the rink and was immediately mobbed by humbled kids looking to get the greatest signature in hockey.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

LAS VEGAS -- Rick Tocchet's jersey hung in his locker stall Thursday afternoon, but the ex-player and coach was mysteriously absent from the on-ice portion of Wayne Gretzky's Fantasy Camp.

Now we know why. We just wish we didn't.

"Well, I didn't dress, I had kidney stones," Tocchet informed NHL.com. "It's the first time I ever had them and probably is one of the most painful things I've had in my life. I'd actually rather fight Marty McSorley five times and have my hands tied behind my back than have what I had. I'm sure that people that have had them will attest to that."

To his credit, Tocchet was here Friday to adhere to the commitment he made to The Great One.

Talk about a profile in courage.

"Well, if I didn't play Wayne was going to cut me," he said. "So, I had to show up."

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LAS VEGAS -- Seen and heard around the pro's dressing room prior to the games Thursday at Wayne Gretzky's Fantasy Camp:

Ex-NHL goalie Eddie Mio commenting on Brett Hull's new shall we say rounder body and how he looked wearing the black L.A. Kings uniform:

"I'm sorry buddy, but I can't believe you scored almost a thousand goals. I just can't believe looking at you now that you scored almost a thousand goals."

Hull responding to Mio: "I thought black was supposing to be thinning."

Denis Savard, holding an Oilers' sweater with Gretzky 99 on the back, asking Gretzky for an autograph:

"It's for a buddy of mine in Chicago. He's had this for a while and has been waiting to get it signed. I might not give it back to him, though!!"

Mike Keenan holding up Chris Chelios' old, think and tattered shoulder pads:

"Do you see these things? How do you wear these things?"

Chelios responding by ripping the pads out of Keenan's hands and saying he's had them since he played for Keenan in 1991.

Gretzky pulling the Kings' black jersey over his head and telling me that it feels good on him.

John MacLean pulling the same Kings' black jersey over his head and commenting how big it is on him.

Bernie Nicholls name misspelled on the back of his jersey. It was missing an L.

Every player clowning around and swapping stories like it was old times.

"I recognize a lot of the faces," Hull said, "but I don't recognize a lot of the body types."

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LAS VEGAS -- The Hall of Famers have spoken and they believe that Sidney Crosby is by far and away the best player in the world right now even though he isn't playing due to a concussion.

Wayne Gretzky referred to Crosby as the League's "best player" and Brett Hull told NHL.com that it's not even close.

"As an overall player there is no question," Hull said. "Last year I would have said Ovechkin a little bit over Sid because I'm a goal scorers' guy, but Sid just picked it up and said, 'I'm going to do it all.' His ability to lead, his skating is so phenomenal and his playmaking -- there is no question that Sid is the guy."

Bernie Nicholls, who had 1,209 points over 18 NHL seasons, compared Crosby to Wayne Gretzky.

"He's the next Gretzky," Nicholls told NHL.com. "To me, Gretz was amazing, but to see the way Sid handles himself, how good he is for the game, he's just a tremendous talent and he is fun to watch. I don't even think it's close. He's won a Stanley cup, won a gold medal -- he's the man. He's head and shoulders above them all. Sid is just a winner."

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

LAS VEGAS -- Dellapina has a point. I shouldn't expound on another man's strengths and weaknesses when I don't even have my skates with me. Then again, isn't that my job? Am I not paid to analyze and write what experts like Walter Gretzky tell me.

My job isn't to pretend I'm a hockey player.

Anyhow, in other news from my conversation earlier today with Mike Keenan, the ex-coach of eight NHL franchises told me he'd like to see the NHL bring the red line back.

What's that you say about the red line?

Gasp!

Yeah, I said it, too. I am perfectly fond of the game as it is today with how fast guys go through the neutral zone, but Iron Mike said that he'd prefer seeing guys have to think their way into the offensive zone rather than whip the puck in over two lines and immediately go on the forecheck.

I would think it's safe to say that Keenan is in the minority in this debate and the NHL doesn't have any plans to reinstitute the red line, but when a guy with a Stanley Cup ring who has coached in the League for three decades talks about the game as it's played today you tend to listen.

I did.

Here's what Keenan had to say:

"You don't have to be a skilled thinker to bring the puck out of your own zone. You don't have to be a skilled thinker in the neutral," Keenan said. "It's because of the red line. When they took the red line out, and Chicago did this last year and won the Cup, they whip the puck as hard as you can to a post-up man at the far blue line, he tips it in and now you're on the forecheck. See, I played Division I hockey and Cornell was winning the championships because they played like that. I absolutely hated the game because I played defense and you were backpedaling already to retrieve the puck. There was no thinking. The game was perceived to be faster because the puck went from end to end faster, but the thinking was not as acute as it had to be when there was a red line.

"I want thinkers. I think the game is a lot more fascinating to watch with the red line. They say the coaches devised all these systems to clog the neutral zone up, but you watch now, they play a 1-2-2 and the defensemen have to play from the far blue line to that end as opposed to the red line to that end.

"I like the athleticism of the people participating. I like the skill set. I've coached in the league for three decades and there is a lot of perspective. Some people are saying the game is a lot faster. In some ways it is, but in the design of the rules in a lot of ways you don't have to think as much."

Disagree if you want, but he's not changing his opinion.

NHL Live! will be broadcasting from Wayne Gretzky's Fantasy Camp on Thursday and Friday from noon-2 p.m. ET. Follow on NHL.com, NHL Network and Sirius/XM radio.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl