The day we’ve all been patiently waiting for is finally here. That’s right folks, it is April 3rd and that means we are only hours away from the trade deadline. I’ve been putting out a series of team by team previews over the last couple weeks to get you ready, but I figured it’s time I took a more general approach. Something every team’s fan base could get into

As much as every fan base can get into the deadline, and all the speculation that surrounds it, I’m not sure every team will. There’s generally not that much activity on deadline day. Not nearly as much as I’d like to see anyways. The number of trades usually hovers around 15 per deadline, and this year the over/under is set at 16. So I figured, why not have a look at the 16 players most likely to be dealt, and give a little tidbit of information to go along with each. Enjoy.

Mike Ribeiro: Ribeiro is a versatile center, that can play on either the second or first line of most teams. Is playmaking center that’s getting a point per game this season.

Pos: C

Contract: 1yr/$5M

Current Team: Washington Capitals

Good Fits: Anaheim, Toronto, Chicago

Marcel Goc: Goc is an ideal third line center, with the ability to play well enough if needed anywhere in the top 9. Is great in the faceoff circle, and is just as good at killing penalties and playing a shutdown role.

Pos: C

Contract: 2yr/$1.7M per

Current Team: Florida Panthers

Good Fits: New York Rangers, Vancouver, Winnipeg, New Jersey, San Jose

Ryan Whitney: When healthy Whitney provides solid offensive production from the blueline. Only problem, he’s rarely healthy. Plays very well on the power play as well, and could fit into a bottom 4 defensemen role.

Pos: D

Contract: 1yr/$4M

Current Team: Edmonton Oilers

Good Fits: New York Rangers, Ottawa, New Jersey, Anaheim, Pittsburgh

Raffi Torres: Can be very physical and on occasion offensively productive in a team’s bottom 6 forwards. Has reformed his game to make less suspendable hits. Has a ton of playoff experience

Pos: LW

Contract: 1yr/$1.7M

Current Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Good Fits: Vancouver, Winnipeg, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Anaheim, Ottawa

Chuck Kobasew: Has never lived up to his high draft selection, but can be effective in a bottom 6 role nonetheless. Has great speed, and offers a little help on special teams

Pos: LW/RW

Contract: 1yr/$1.25M

Current Team: Colorado Avalanche

Good Fits: Boston, New York Rangers, Anaheim, New Jersey

Adrian Aucoin: Not sure if the Blue Jackets are actually serious about being buyers, and as such Aucoin makes it onto this list. Can provide solid shutdown help in a bottom pairing role.

Pos: D

Contract: 1yr/$2M

Current Team: Columbus Blue Jackets

Good Fits: Boston, New York Rangers, Vancouver, New Jersey, Carolina, Toronto

Steve Sullivan: Can play second line minutes, and provide modest production. Also a great voice in the locker room.

Pos: LW

Contract: 1yr/$1.85M

Current Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Good Fits: Chicago, Winnipeg, Ottawa, New Jersey, Minnesota

Keith Yandle: With Ekman-Larsson taking a bigger role with the ‘Yotes, Yandle’s days could be numbered. The long term extension didn’t help Yandle’s cause either.

Pos: D

Contract: 4yr/$5.25M per

Current Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Good Fits: Philadelphia, Boston, Ottawa

Ben Bishop: Has played great since replacing the injured Craig Anderson. Would be very surprised if he wasn’t moved this deadline.

Pos: G

Contract: 1yr/$650,000

Current Team: Ottawa Senators

Good Fits: Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Phoenix, Florida

Clarke MacArthur: Can play anywhere on the second or third line, and chips in on special teams. Brings a little grit to the table as well.

Pos: W

Contract: 1yr/$3.25M

Current Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Good Fits: Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, New York Rangers

Ales Hemsky: A very productive first or second line winger, with another year on his contract. It will cost a lot to land Hemsky, but could be worth it.

Pos: RW

Contract: 2yr/$5M per

Current Team: Edmonton Oilers

Good Fits: Los Angeles, Toronto, New York Rangers, Boston

Roberto Luongo: Is anyone else getting sick of hearing Luongo rumours? It could come to an end sometime today. Apparently 4 teams are calling Gillis about Lu.

Pos: G

Contract: 10yr/$5.3M per

Current Team: Vancouver Canucks

Good Fits: New York Islanders, Toronto, Florida, Washington

Eric Fehr: Ideal third line winger, with size, physicality and a little offensive upside.

Pos: RW

Contract: 1yr/$600,000

Current Team: Washington Capitals

Good Fits: New York Islanders, Vancouver, Edmonton, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Boston

Scott Hannan: Has managed to stay in the league this long, by reshaping his game into being a reliable shutdown defender in the bottom pairing.

Pos: D

Contract: 1yr/$1M

Current Team: Nashville Predators

Good Fits: Vancouver, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Columbus, New York Rangers, Washington, Carolina

Boyd Gordon: Great faceoff guy, and penalty killer. Plays very well in the bottom 6 forward role on either the wing, or at center.

Pos: F

Contract: 1yr/$1.35M

Current Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Good Fits: Vancouver, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Boston

Nikolai Khabibulin: Not a quality starter any more, but a good insurance policy. Is still a very good backup at this stage in his career.

Pos: G

Contract: 1yr/$3.75M

Current Team: Edmonton Oilers

Good Fits: Toronto, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders

You can follow J.D. Burke for more hockey commentary, stats, tweets, etc. @WeveGotTwins and find his blog at We've Got Twins

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