These teams and players would be a great match

	A healthy Todd Bertuzzi can bring size, scoring and a physical edge to a contender. Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
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I'm not an NHL GM, but I'm going to play one in this column.

Actually, it's more accurate to say I'm going to play matchmaker. Heading toward the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline, it's obvious that there are opportunities out there. Chances for some teams to take one step closer to the Stanley Cup, and for others to gain hope for a better tomorrow. All it's going to take is someone to bring these teams together. For the good of the game, I'll be that someone.

Right now, there are just a few clubs clearly in the selling mode. The Los Angeles Kings already have made a pair of deals, unloading Craig Conroy and Sean Avery. The Bruins dumped UFA's-to-be Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau over the weekend. The Coyotes today shipped Ladislav Nagy to the Stars. And it seems only a matter of time before the Flyers, Blues, Blackhawks, Panthers and Blue Jackets accept the inevitable and start pulling players off the bus.

But who should be involved? That's the fun part, isn't it? Here are eight deals I'd like to see happen before the 27th. Please keep in mind these are not based on any insider knowledge, so don't spread these around as rumors of impending transactions. And, yes, I realize a few may require some gerrymandering due to financial concerns, but I'm playing fantasy GM here, not capologist.

To Detroit: Todd Bertuzzi
To Florida: Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, second-rounder

The Wings are motivated by two factors: the desire to avoid another first-round flop and to capitalize on what could be Dominik Hasek's last season. Bertuzzi -- assuming his scheduled Feb. 17 return goes smoothly -- would be the big side of beef that Detroit has lacked up front since the departure of Brendan Shanahan.

Abdelkader and Helm might not be sexy names, but both had the look of bona fide NHLers at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Helm's speed made him a constant threat for the Canadians. The 5-11, 182-pound center has the smarts and tenacity to develop into an elite checking line pivot. Abdelkader, who turns 20 just before the trade deadline, is a left winger who doesn't do any one thing particularly well, but he's one of those guys you always notice when he's out there. He seems to make something happen on each and every shift. Both players are a few years away, which may make them less appealing to a Panthers club tired of the rebuilding process. Still, you can't argue that this kind of talent is worth the wait.

To Ottawa: Keith Tkachuk
To St. Louis: Josh Hennessy, Kyrill Lyamin, third rounder

After a miserable start, the Senators are rounding into form as a legitimate contender in the East. Their problem, as always: a lack of grit up front. The battle-hardened Tkachuk provides that in spades, and his 18 goals -- including eight on the power play -- prove that he can easily fit into their top-six forwards.

In Hennessy, St. Louis would add a fleet-of-foot center with second-line potential. Lyamin is a bit of a project, but the 6-3, 205-pound blueliner has impressed scouts with his defensive work while playing in the Russian Super League. Both players could be ready to make limited contributions in the NHL as soon as next season.