Ryan Miller shouldn't worry about moving.

Given the stipulations outlined in his contract, the Vancouver Canucks netminder is an unlikely trade candidate ahead of the March 1 trade deadline.

Miller can permit a move to just five clubs, three of which are believed to be California-based, namely the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks. The bad news is none of the three are in dire need of a goaltending upgrade, or even some added insurance between the pipes.

Among the three, the Sharks are the least likely suitor, as Martin Jones is the go-to netminder for the Bay Area club. In 50 appearances this season, Jones has come away with a 28-15-6 record, and among goaltenders with as much crease time, only two have outperformed his .913 save rate.

The Sharks could use an upgrade on backup Aaron Dell, but Miller's $6-million contract makes such a move improbable.

In Los Angeles, the Kings have already passed on opportunities to seek upgrades in goal after starter Jonathan Quick was lost to a groin injury in the season opener. Veteran minor-leaguer Peter Budaj has impressively held down the fort in Quick's absence, with 27 wins on the season, while his seven shutouts also ranks first league-wide. Further, Quick is expected to return in the coming weeks, leaving no space for Miller.

Anaheim is the most plausible destination among the California clubs, and even that is unlikely. The Ducks appear comfortable with the tandem of John Gibson and Jonathan Bernier, who share crease time in Orange County.

While Gibson is the undisputed starter, the Ducks could upgrade on Bernier, who carries a $4-million cap charge, but that figure is still about $2 million less than Miller's wage. That's without consideration of the assets the Ducks would need to part with to complete a deal. In the end, how the Ducks fare in the playoffs will largely live on Gibson's shoulders.

A pending unrestricted free agent, Miller's best bet may be to explore his opportunities in the summer, while a return to the Canucks should not be ruled out. Reports indicate the club could retain Miller at a lesser rate to share netminding duties with the younger Jacob Markstrom, while a stay in Vancouver would also keep Miller on his preferred West coast.

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Don't expect fireworks from the Washington Capitals ahead of the March 1 trade deadline.

Holding the NHL's top spot with 87 points in 59 games, the Capitals have few holes, according to general manager Brian MacLellan, whose club is on pace to win the Presidents' Trophy in back-to-back seasons.

"This year, I don't I don't feel that pressure or that need to do anything," MacLellan told Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic. "(But) we're exploring opportunities ... If we can upgrade on the fringes, we might do it."

The Capitals made one depth addition earlier this month, acquiring veteran defenseman Tom Gilbert from the Los Angeles Kings.

MacLellan made two moves ahead of last year's trade deadline, bringing in Mike Weber from the Buffalo Sabres and Daniel Winnik from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In any event, what the Capitals do at this year's deadline will be largely dictated by the salary cap, as Washington has less than $250,000 in projected cap space.

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At long last.

Following Thursday's trade that sent Ron Hainsey to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the veteran blue-liner will finally get a look at playoff hockey.

Hainsey, 35, holds the unfortunate record of the most games played without qualifying for the postseason. He joins his fifth team with 891 career appearances under his belt. Should he lace up for all of the Penguins' remaining contests, he'll finish at 914.

The previous high-water mark was held by Olli Jokinen, who skated in 799 contests before making the playoffs with the Calgary Flames in 2009.

To his credit, Hainsey has appeared in 41 postseason games in the AHL, recording two goals and 16 assists over that stretch. His last playoff endeavor came in 2005.

The defending champion Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan and are poised to make their 11th straight playoff appearance.

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One Tyler Ennis is headed to Los Angeles, but it's not the one hockey fans might think.

The Lakers reportedly acquired reserve guard Tyler Ennis from the Houston Rockets for point guard Marcelo Huertas on Thursday before the NBA's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, and the Kings' social media staff shared the following greeting cheekily directed at the city's new import.

One would hope the #LakeShow hashtag would be enough to clarify which Ennis was really L.A.-bound, but the reactions ranged from confusion to anger and even to some fans who thought the team did it accidentally.

Well played, Kings.

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Dennis Wideman is open to a move prior to the trade deadline.

The Calgary Flames defenseman would waive his no-move clause should a suitor come calling on or before March 1.

"If that's something that (the Flames) want to do, then they can call and I definitely would be open to it," Wideman told Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Herald. "I think, as a player, you don't want to be anywhere that you're not wanted. So if they want to move you and someone wants to take you, then it's nice to go somewhere like that if that's the case."

Whether another club is willing to take on a 33-year-old defenseman who carries a $5.25-million cap hit is the bigger question, but Wideman - who's been bumped down the depth chart by the arrivals of Matt Bartkowski and Michael Stone - certainly wants to play.

"I just want to help this team as much as I can, for when I'm here, so I just have to be ready to play," he said. "And if it's somewhere else, then I'll cross that bridge when it gets there ... But my concentration right now is helping the Flames make the playoffs."

Wideman has recorded three goals, 13 assists, and 79 shots while averaging 20:38 of ice time through 52 games.

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Never any doubt.

So says Florida Panthers general manager and interim head coach Tom Rowe, who stepped behind the bench after Gerard Gallant guided the club to a disappointing 11-10-1 record after 22 games.

The Panthers have amassed 43 points (17-12-9) in 38 games since the move, and have crept within striking distance of a playoff spot, on which Rowe fully intends to pounce.

"We're in a good position," Rowe said. "If anybody thought we we're going to be here, I think most people would say no, except every guy in that room. We knew we were going to be in a playoff position. We're there and we're going to get it done."

The Panthers sit level with the New York Islanders at 66 points, but can't claim the second wild-card spot thanks to the NHL's tiebreaking rules.

Florida is the NHL's hottest team and trending in the right direction after going 8-2-0 in their past 10, a stretch certainly boosted by a return to full health for top-line forwards Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau.

Whether the Panthers can hold off the competition and clinch a spot is another matter. According to Sports Club Stats, their chances stand at 31.1 percent, 10th highest in the Eastern Conference.

Still some work to be done to erase all doubt, it would seem.

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For a long time, the Central Division was revered as the strongest in the league.

This year, there has seen a slight changing of the guard. Still, with just over six weeks remaining in the season, as many as six of the seven teams remain within striking distance of the postseason.

With most teams in the the division either in a playoff spot or towards the basement, the Central could stand to be among the most active in the next week and a half.

With that, here is what the Central clubs could be looking to do ahead of the trade deadline:

Chicago Blackhawks

Need: Penalty-kill specialist

The Chicago Blackhawks have very few flaws (surprise, surprise). The team sits in the top-10 in both goals for and goals against.

However, where the club seems to struggle is on the penalty kill. The team holds the third-worst contingent, killing off penalties just 77.1 percent of the time, despite averaging the second fewest penalty minutes per game (6:54).

The Blackhawks don't need to add much at the deadline, but a notable penalty killer could go a long way.

Colorado Avalanche

Need: Sell

It's clear the process is already underway, as Joe Sakic and company appear ready to sell off all their high assets.

With the number of buyers and sellers still not clear, it appears the Avalanche have made their asking price for players such as Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog pretty high - just ask Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

Related: Melnyk stunned by asking price for Colorado's Duchene

It could be just a matter of time before a big fish is dealt, but Jarome Iginla and nearly anyone else on the roster could surely be shipped out of Colorado as well.

Dallas Stars

Need: Goaltending

Whether general manager Jim Nill is ready to admit it or not, Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi have been terrible for the Dallas Stars.

Dallas got by last season by outscoring their problems, but they can't do it this year. The Stars have the worst team save percentage league-wide despite averaging just the 15th most shots against per game.

It's time for Nill to finally address the elephant in the room.

Minnesota Wild

Need: Stand pat

The Minnesota Wild sit first in the Western Conference, fourth in goals for per game, and second in goals against per game. So why mess with success?

The team has little need to make any significant moves at the deadline. A forward depth option is the only thing possibly worth considering, but rather than that, just carry on.

Nashville Predators

Need: Top-6 forward

The Nashville Predators cling to a playoff spot and with a solid defense core, it's quit obvious the biggest need is someone who can provide offense.

The team's top-three scorers - Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, and Viktor Arvidsson - all occupy their top line at the moment, proving their biggest need is to find scoring elsewhere.

Duchene would make sense and the Predators should have the pieces to make a deal work. A deal of this magnitude could help them get back to a top-three spot in the division and become a threat in the postseason.

St. Louis Blues

Need: Trade Shattenkirk

It's a drum that will continue to be beat until it's eventually done.

The Blues must deal Kevin Shattenkirk, lest they once again watch a star player depart without any assets recouped.

The amount of suitors and the asking price are sure to be high, but with the Blues in the driver seat, it's all up to Doug Armstrong to finally make a deal happen.

Winnipeg Jets

Need: Goaltending

The Jets' goaltending needs an upgrade, plain and simple.

Connor Hellebuyck, Michael Hutchinson, and Ondrej Pavelec have all failed to turn in performances that can even be considered average.

It's obvious the team needs a change. If they can get in on the potential Ben Bishop or Marc-Andre Fleury sweepstakes, with the pending expansion draft looming, that would be ideal.

Nevertheless, an upgrade is a must, especially if the club is serious about making the postseason.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be done dealing following Thursday's acquisition of veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey.

Justin Schultz appears set to return to the lineup from a concussion, but Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley will be out weeks due to injury, and, to make matters potentially far worse, Kris Letang is currently listed as day to day with an upper-body injury.

The Penguins don't play again until Saturday's Stadium Series event, giving general manager Jim Rutherford time to assess the situation.

Rutherford also maintained he'd prefer to keep goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for what's hoped to be another lengthy playoff run, ensuring Matt Murray has more than sufficient backup.

The upcoming expansion draft complicates the issue somewhat, and much can happen prior to the Feb. 28 trade deadline, but the GM seems content with his defending Stanley Cup champion roster.

Rutherford, however, added, "We'll stay in the mix right up to the deadline and see what happens."

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One thing was for sure in 2016: the Toronto Maple Leafs were sellers in advance of the Feb. 29 trade deadline.

A total of 20 deals were pulled off in the 28 days of February leading up to deadline day, five of which were pulled off by a Maple Leafs' brain trust led by president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Yes, that's 25 percent of the trade action spurred by one team.

Here's a look at what Toronto was up to this time last year:

1. Feb. 9 - Maple Leafs traded D Dion Phaneuf, F Matt Frattin, F Casey Bailey, F Ryan Rupert, and D Cody Donaghey to the Ottawa Senators for D Jared Cowen, F Colin Greening, F Milan Michalek, F Tobias Lindberg, and a 2017 second-round pick

2. Feb. 21 - Maple Leafs traded F Shawn Matthias to the Colorado Avalanche for F Colin Smith and a 2016 fourth-round pick (used to select D Keaton Middleton)

3. Feb. 22 - Maple Leafs traded D Roman Polak and F Nick Spaling to the San Jose Sharks for F Raffi Torres, a 2017 second-round pick, and a 2018 second-round pick.

4. Feb 27 - Maple Leafs traded G James Reimer and F Jeremy Morin to the Sharks in exchange for G Alex Stalock, F Ben Smith, and a 2018 conditional fourth-round pick.

5. Feb 28 - Maple Leafs traded F Daniel Winnik and a 2016 fifth-round pick (used to select F Beck Malenstyn) to the Washington Capitals for F Brooks Laich, D Connor Carrick, and a 2016 second-round pick (used to select F Carl Grundstrom).

Toronto stayed silent on the actual trade deadline day, and the rest, as they say, is history: the Maple Leafs' depleted roster amassed 17 points in the final 21 games of the season and finished 30th in the overall standings.

The Leafs later won the NHL Draft Lottery for the right to select Auston Matthews with the first overall pick, and now, one year later, they could very well be buyers rather than sellers as the March 1 trade deadline approaches.

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Bryan Bickell is on the road back to NHL action.

His first stop will be Charlotte, where he can be assigned to the AHL's Checkers once he clears waivers, the Carolina Hurricanes announced.

Bickell has missed 48 games after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He last played on Oct. 30, and recorded one goal in seven games to begin the season.

Acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks - with whom he won three Stanley Cups - in 2016, Bickell is in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

If he does indeed clear waivers, he can be down in the AHL for more than the standard two weeks afforded for conditioning stints, reports Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

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