Desperation dares dealing defensively

All over the National Hockey League, teams are desperately looking for help on their blue line. From Philadelphia to Chicago to Florida, teams all over the map are looking to make a move to impact their playoff odds. But will the "right deal" be available for anyone?

Three relatively high-profile defensemen have been traded around the deadline in the last couple years.

Dion Phaneuf was part of a seven-player deal that shipped him to Toronto from Calgary in 2010; he has since become the captain of the Leafs and represented them in this year's All-Star Game.

Another 2012 All-Star, Dennis Wideman, was traded from Florida to Washington at the deadline last year. And the the other deal that happened last year involving a quality defenseman saw Francois Beauchemin dealt to Anaheim by the Leafs.

But where are the quality defensemen this year?

Everyone assumed Tim Gleason would be the guy at the heart of a bidding war, but he inked a four-year deal with the Canes. And in spite of his no-trade clause, Beauchemin was also a popular name in rumors before he was extended by the Ducks.

Certainly there are still names floating through hypothetical beg-blogging all over the league, but so many teams are still in contention as February begins the separation that usually precedes players becoming available has not yet taken place (except in the case of Carolina, who apparently aren't selling defensemen).

Ryan Suter will get the bulk of the attention between now and the deadline, but there are some other free agents-to-be that could mix up the playoff race if they're made available. A player like Johnny Oduya could be the real steal of the deadline this year, while Marek Zidlicky, Hal Gill and others could eventually move as well.

The list of teams looking for help on the blue line seems to get longer every week. Philadelphia, Florida, Tampa and Washington have all dealt with injured defensemen missing action this year, while Chicago, Nashville and Vancouver might both look to add depth before the deadline.

But injuries and teams sticking around the playoff picture will fill the next four weeks with more smoke than fire.

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