NHL trade deadline: 10 players who could use a change of scenery

It's that time of the season. The NHL trade deadline is still roughly a few weeks away but the rumor mill is working overtime.

Unlike in seasons past, there are plenty of players who look like they're on their way to a new club. And, as Sheryl Crow once sang, a change would do them good.

So, in no particular order, here are 10 players around the NHL who could use a change of scenery.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau: Ottawa Senators
Trade rumors surrounding Pageau have swirled for the better part of this season, mainly because he has played so well despite the rest of the Senators sputtering around him. The 27-year-old center is on pace to eclipse his career-high points total of 43 (2015-2016) and, with just a couple months remaining on his modest contract, would be a good selection for a team looking for a rental.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun recently connected Pageau to the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers.

Kyle Turris: Nashville Predators
It seems like the drama between Turris and his current club has been going on for a decade. And with Nashville — who has already gone through a coaching change this season — expected to be active at the deadline, the time might have finally come for the 30-year-old center to move on.

Of course the biggest obstacle is finding a team that wants to take on Turris' contract. The once defensively-savvy Predators could use some help on their blue line and likely want to use Turris as a trade piece. But, again, that will depend on a team wanting to take on his contract after he has struggled under two different coaches this season.

Tyler Toffoli: LA Kings
With the Kings occupying the Western Conference cellar yet again and a number of players set to become UFA's the in offseason, it's almost a given there will be a lot of movement from the SoCal club at the deadline. Toffoli's name has been floated around a bit in the past but has a better chance of moving now with his contract set to expire.

Like Pageau, Toffoli has played well this season despite being on a struggling team. And given that he is a young player with proven playoff experience, there is a wealth of teams that would benefit from adding him for offensive depth. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins are just two teams who have already expressed interest.

Robin Lehner: Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago also has a bevy of players who are set to become UFAs in the offseason, so unloading some of those contracts would give the Blackhawks some much-needed breathing room under the salary cap.

Lehner is currently sitting on a 2.86 goals-against average and .922 save percentage — which is a pretty solid given how dismal the Blackhawks have played. Most recently, the Carolina Hurricanes have expressed serious interest in the 28-year-old Swede.

Chris Kreider: New York Rangers
A seasoned power forward, Kreider sits at the top of a list of pending UFAs teams could grab for the final leg of the 2019-20 season. With the Rangers sitting well out of a playoff spot and fulling committed to rebuilding their roster, it makes sense for them to trade Kreider now and get something in return.

While there reportedly haven't been talks between Kreider's camp and the Rangers about a contract extension, there's still some mystery surrounding the winger's potential exit from the Big Apple. It should also be kept in mind that the Boston College product's current contract comes with a modified no-trade clause that prevents him from going to 11 teams.

Wayne Simmonds: New Jersey Devils
Suffice it to say, Simmonds' tenure in New Jersey has left little to be desired. Heck, the Devils whole season has left little to be desired. With player and coach departures already taking place this season, the chances of Simmonds — who has only 19 points through 51 games — moving on could do both parties some good.

That being said, Simmonds is just one player the Devils have to consider moving ahead of the deadline. With big changes already taking place for the team this season, interim GM Tom Fitzgerald is seriously under the microscope as he figures out what to do with New Jersey's pending UFAs.

Zach Bogosian: Buffalo Sabres
Bogosian reportedly requested a trade from Buffalo back in December, so you can expect he'll be making headlines as the deadline nears. With the Sabres looking to shake things up, the 29-year-old defenseman could be on the move.

Teams might be extra cautious when considering taking on Bogosian since he hasn't played a full season in his entire career and has only played 18 games so far in this campaign. That being said, Buffalo is looking for help up front and the Massena, New York native could be a piece that Sabres choose to swap.

On that note...

Alex Galchenyuk: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Sabres are just one team that has been linked to Galchenyuk, who the Penguins have reportedly been shopping for some time. Pittsburgh has been riddled with injuries this season and, with Jake Guentzel out four-to-six months with a shoulder injury, is looking for more forward depth.

While Galchenyuk hasn't really found a groove in Pittsburgh since being acquired over the summer in the Phil Kessel trade, his strength as a secondary scorer could be brought to light with a change of scenery. (No wonder the Sabres have expressed interest in him.)

Mikael Granlund: Nashville Predators
Long story short, the Kevin Fiala-for-Mikael Granlund trade hasn't worked out well for Nashville. The 27-year-old center just hasn't found his footing in Music City and a change could probably do both parties some good.

Despite not producing much this season, Granlund could still attract interest from teams looking to beef up their forward attack. It's just a matter of teams willing to take on his $5.75 million cap hit.

Matt Dumba: Minnesota Wild
While an impactful player during his tenure in Minnesota, Dumba is a player who could get a boost from playing for a different club. With the Wild looking to make a big roster move, the 25-year-old blueliner has become the topic of many trade rumors as the clock winds down to the February 24 deadline.

As Michael Russo of The Athletic points out, the injury Dumba sustained last season has stunted some of his playing ability. But that doesn't appear have silenced rumors that the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are shopping Kasperi Kapanen, have expressed interest in Dumba.