NHL trade rumors: Iginla to the Kings?

*The rumors swirling around Jarome Iginla’s future in Calgary started almost as soon as the lockout ended. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that, while teams like Boston and Pittsburgh have shown interest in the Flame captain, the Los Angeles might be the most likely trading partner. The Kings may have the goaltender that solves Calgary’s problem of what to do once 36-year-old goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff hangs up the laces.

One would imagine that would interest the Flames since life after Mikka Kiprusoff isn’t far off. But then again, who knows with the Flames?

It should surprise no one that the Kings have interest in Iginla. For starters, L.A. inquired about his ability a few years back only to be told he wasn’t going anywhere. More to the heart of the matter though is Kings head coach Darryl Sutter and his relationship with Iginla from their days together in Calgary.

I think the Kings would want at least a draft pick to go along with Iginla -- whose contract expires after the season -- in return for a future franchise goalie like Bernier.

*Elsewhere on the Iginla front, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that, while the Penguins remain interested in the 35-year-old forward, the suggestion is that he “might not fill a top-six role with the Penguins”. Meanwhile, Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun says that all is quiet on the Flames’ front for now.

*Last night during the Penguins-Maple Leafs game, analysts Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean suggested that Toronto could be ready to put Phil Kessel on the trade block. The 25-year-old forward has nine goals and 26 points in 28 games this season, but has only a year left on his contract, while Kypreos and MacLean have questions about Kessel’s ability to play a leadership role with the Leafs.

MacLean says the Kessel deal would to bring back “core pieces” that will make Toronto a better team, which is why the deal might be a challenge. Though MacLean also says the Leafs would need to get something akin to “Cory Perry” for “Kessel and something else”, so take that with a grain of salt. Kypreos believe Vancouver, Detroit and Pittsburgh could be potential marketplaces for Kessel, with Roberto Luongo suggested as a return piece. I’m sure Ben Scrivens and James Reimer, who both have above .915 save percentages, would be thrilled!

*Finally, there have been reports that a deal between the Red Wings and goaltender Jimmy Howard on an extension is close to finished. Not so, claims TSN’s Aaron Ward, who tweeted out the following early Friday morning:

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