{coyotes} Report: NHL targets April 5 trade deadline

Sunday 6 January 2013

{coyotes} Report: NHL targets April 5 trade deadline

The National Hockey League is reportedly targeting an April 5 trade deadline for the shortened 2012-13 season, though the NHL and NHLPA have yet to formally sign off on that date.

Last year, the trade deadline fell on Feb. 27 and typically takes place in late February or the first week of March, but with the unusual circumstances of the lockout ending the trade deadline has reportedly been pushed back.

The season is expected to have either a 48-game or 50-game schedule and will be kept entirely within the conference, according the Canadian Press. Under the 48-game scenario, teams would play everyone outside their division three times and an unbalanced schedule internally, with five games against two rivals and four games against two others. The 50-game scenario would see teams play five games against divisional opponents and three more against everyone else in the conference.

Notable players like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks, Nathan Horton of the Boston Bruins, Travis Zajac and David Clarkson of the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe are unrestricted free agents after the season and could potentially be at the centre of trade rumours, as could Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo.