With the NHL trade deadline upon us, welcome to the Rumor-o-Rama!

Crunch time is upon us. Buyers are lining up to pick over the sellers. The Blues are playing it down the middle these days – trying to win, but listening to offers just in case – while other teams are aggressively trying to offload talent.

Here are the players we’ve heard and read the most about:

Keith Tkachuk, W, Blues: With Andy Murray’s team creeping up the Western Conference ladder, a sell-off isn’t mandatory. But if another team offers a first-round pick for Walt . . .

Jay Bouwmeester, D, Panthers: He is THE most coveted player in this market. Almost every contender has expressed an interest.

Vincent Lecavalier, C, Lightning: No matter how much the Tampa Bay management team insists he is NOT moving, rumors persist that Montreal will offer a monstrous package to land him. Given the instability we’ve seen from the Lightning this year, anything is possible.

Olli Jokinen, C, Coyotes: The big center will almost certainly be moved. Iron Mike Keenan would love to get him in Calgary. The Devils would love to get him back in the East to create matchup advantages in the playoffs.

Chris Pronger, D, Ducks: Interesting, isn’t it, that Anaheim seems highly interested in moving an all-star eager to finish his career in Orange County? Pronger’s famous lack of leadership ability has reared its head once again. Still, many Eastern Conference contenders are intrigued.

Scott Niedermayer, D, Ducks: Because his contract is expiring, he would not bring cap complications to his new team. Anaheim may opt to keep him if he is inclined to play another year — but if he’s not so inclined, then Devils or Bruins would love to get him.

Phil Kessel, W, Bruins: Would Boston sacrifice the young scorer to get a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman? Maybe, since the goal is to win the Stanley Cup. Long-term, Boston can’t keep all of its promising young forwards.

Bill Guerin, W, Islanders: The former Blue wants to get off the Island. He could say in the conference, since the Bruins, Capitals and Devils are interested.

Nik Antropov, C, Maple Leafs: New GM Brian Burke has openly shopped him around the league, seeking a first-round pick in return.

Derek Morris, D, Coyotes. He wants out. He is sure Phoenix will trade him. To make sure, he will sit until that happens. So he is not expected to play against the Blues. Morris would be a rental, since he hits the free-agent marketplace this summer.

Erik Cole, W, Oilers: Edmonton believes he is an Eastern Conference forward, so the club isn’t likely to spend big on the looming free agent. Several contenders on that side are lining up to add him as a rental, led by Boston.

Ryan Smyth, W, Avalanche: Is he really untouchable? Other teams wonder, given his inflated salary and the mounting apathy of Mile High hockey fans.

Milan Hejduk, W, Avalanche: Colorado is fading in the Western Conference, prompting speculation that he could head east. The Penguins are still shopping for talent and the Senators could make a move, too, depending

Alexander Frolov, W, Kings: The would-be sniper could help the Sabres, who are also due to get scorer Thomas Vanek back next week.

Alexei Kovalev, W, Canadiens: He has come back to life after his two-game hiatus, but we doubt GM Bob Gainey has forgiven his lethargic play for much of this season.

Tomas Kaberle, D, Maple Leafs: Burke has set a high price for him, perhaps too high. He could actually serve Toronto well by playing out his contract at his semi-bargain terms. To move him, Toronto wants a first-round pick, a top prospects and a player.

Filip Kuba, D, Senators: Ottawa seems disinclined to sign him for the long haul, so he is up for grabs.

Niklas Backstrom, GT, Wild: If he can’t come to terms on a contract extension, he could end up in the trade mart. Minnesota can’t lose this asset for nothing. As the Toronto Globe and Mail notes, Backstrom could make the Capitals a more legitimate Cup threat.

Tim Connolly, C, Sabres: Buffalo is looking to change up its front-line chemistry. Connolly is heading to free agency and unlikely to stay. When healthy, Connolly could bring playmaking skills to his next team. Perhaps the Capitals would like to add him into the old Michael Nylander role.

Radek Bonk, C, Predators: He got hurt, which is off-putting to teams looking to add a big match-up center. The Blackhawks are looking for such a player to provide depth and win some faceoffs.