NHL Trade Rumors: Deadline Deals Include St. Louis, Callahan, Brodeur?

The 2014 NHL trade deadline won’t pass without any big names being moved. Just a few hours before deals can no longer be made, two playoffs teams have agreed upon a trade, involving their top stars.

According to multiple reports, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lighting have come to terms, swapping Ryan Callahan and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning also get a 2014 conditional second-round draft pick and a 2015 first-round selection in the deal.

Only a day ago, it looked like Callahan would be signing a long-term contract with the Rangers. The two sides had been negotiating a new deal for the right wing, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. Up until the deal was made, Callahan and New York had been reportedly close to agreeing on a six-year contract.

St. Louis has wanted out of Tampa Bay since general manager Steve Yzerman didn’t choose him to play for Team Canada at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. The 38-year-old eventually made the club as an injury replacement. He has one year left on his contract.

Through 62 games, Tampa Bay has 73 points, which is good enough for fourth in the Eastern Conference. New York’s 69 points has them tied for seventh and fighting for a playoff spot. St. Louis has been arguably the Lightning’s best player, leading the team with 29 goals and 32 assists.

While the Rangers have traded one of their stars, their rivals across the Hudson River could be moving the face of their franchise. Famed goalie Martin Brodeur made his debut with the New Jersey Devils in the 1991-92 seasons, and he may have played his last game with the team. With the Devils currently out of the playoff hunt, the veteran could be headed to contending team.

ESPNNewYork.com reports that Brodeur would gladly accept a trade to a playoff-bound team. On Tuesday, the New York Daily News reported that Devils agreed to send the 41-year-old to the Minnesota Wild, but that appears to be off the table, after the team acquired goalie Ilya Bryzgalov from the Edmonton Oilers, instead. Reports suggest that Montreal might be the most likely landing spot for the future Hall of Famer.

Brodeur started on Tuesday in perhaps his last game in a Devils uniform. He recorded 20 saves in a 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings.