This NHL trade deadline ought to generate major excitement between now and Tuesday. If big-name players like Mats Sundin, Brad Richards, Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle waive their no-trade clauses, several blockbuster deals could go down.

Here are some of the big names in play:

–Marian Hossa, Thrashers: It’s official: Hossa won’t re-sign with the Thrashers. So Atlanta GM Don Waddell has to move him, despite his team’s ongoing playoff push. Hossa doesn’t want to do a sign-and-trade deal; he wants to test the free-agent marketplace this summer.

The Senators would love to get Hossa back, but Senators GM Bryan Murray is trying to limit his offers to prospects and picks. The Canadiens, Flyers, Canucks, Sharks, Devils, Bruins, Ducks, Stars, Rangers and Red Wings are interested, too.

–Mats Sundin, Maple Leafs. He wants to finish his career in Toronto. He isn’t excited about moving, even for a few months. Perhaps he would agree to move to a contender for the rest of this season as a “rental” player. To make such a deal happen, though, the Leafs might have to include a significant player under contract beyond this year.

Detroit had been the front-runner for Sundin, but San Jose is pondering a big move as well.

–Olli Jokinen, Panthers: Are he and GM/coach Jacques Martin really at odds? Perhaps so, because Jokinen’s name keeps coming up on the rumor mill.

–Peter Forsberg, UFA: A week ago, his return seemed unlikely. But could he have another change of heart as Philly keeps calling?

–Brad Richards, Lightning: He appears ready to waive his no-movement clause and relocate. He is in the second year of a five-year, $39 million contract – but that hasn’t scared off the Canucks, Stars and Blue Jackets.

Richards could form a devastating 1-2 punch with Andy McDonald in St. Louis, but that would be a HUGE contract for the Blues to absorb.

–Alex Tanguay, Flames: He would have to waive his no-trade clause to switch teams. Since Mike Keenan coaches the Flames, odds are that Alex would cheerfully move on to, say, Montreal in a swap for Michael Ryder.

–Brian Campbell, Sabres: Buffalo still wants to sign him to a contract extension. But if that doesn’t happen, the Sabres could move this unrestricted free-agent-to-be.

“I don’t want it to end. I’m not saying it’s ending or whatever. But I guess there are questions in the air,” Campbell said. “I do want to stay here. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months.”

–Dan Boyle, Lighting: Same deal. Tampa Bay would like to keep him – but if that isn’t possible, then a deal could develop.

–Martin Havlat, Blackhawks: Hockey Guy loved the way he played in St. Louis. But coach Denis Savard hasn’t see that Havlat nearly enough. So in the right deal, Chicago could move him – but only to get established talent in return. The Blackhawks insist they won’t be “sellers” at the deadline.

–Vaclav Prospal, Lightning: If Richards doesn’t move, then Prospal could go instead. The Lightning can’t keep everybody over the long haul.

–Jaromir Jagr, Rangers: Given his offensive decline – and his team’s large commitment to younger forwards – Jagr realizes his time in New York could be ending. The Rangers apparently don’t want him back next season. But would Glen Sather move him in the next two days?

–Martin Rucinsky, Blues: As always, there are rumors that the Rangers would take him back. But we’re guessing that would only happen if his buddy Jagr stays.

–Mike Comrie, Islanders: This is another looming UFA. If New York can lock him up, he stays. If not, he likely moves by the deadline.

–Miroslav Satan, Islanders: He would have to waive his no-trade clause to move. If he does that, GM Garth Snow might get a prospect or a player for him.

–Brad Stuart, Kings: He wants to explore free agency this summer, so LA is willing to move him as a rental player. The Red Wings remain interested, especially with Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski down.

–Tomas Kaberle, Maple Leafs: Did he really block a deal to Philly? If he did, then he kept the Maple Leafs from getting young forward Jeff Carter and a first-round pick in return.

–Bryan McCabe, Maple Leafs. He, too, has a no-trade clause. He, too, isn’t in any rush to leave Toronto. But any contender would want him. The Rangers could really use him.