Shoebox Memories: Rental Rexi

T-Minus 4 days and counting until the NHL trading deadline.

Brian Burke is sure to make a big splash in the next few days. Will Florida move Jay Bouwmeester? With the poor economy, will there be a lot of buyers, as in year's past? With so many teams still in playoff contention, will there be enough sellers?

The trade rumors are crazy. I'm not going to try to keep up on them all. Guys like Lyle Richardson do that very well, and I don't know how. Check out Spector's Hockey for full rumor analysis.

What I do know is there will be more than a few rental players moving around this week. Teams will try to salvage draft picks and prospects in exchange for unrestricted free agents to be. It makes sense when a team is unlikely to resign the player anyways. It's all about the business of hockey. Asset management as Brian Burke would say.

The term rental always brings up memories of Reijo Ruotsalainen. The Edmonton Oilers were so infatuated with this Paul Coffey clone that they brought him in late season twice, both times resulting in Stanley Cup championships.

After that type of success, the nickname "Rental Rexi" was firmly part of Ruotsalainen's image. So much so that even to this day when the Oilers need help on defense sports casters often joke that the team is inquiring about Ruotsalainen's availability.

You can read the full Reijo Ruotsalainen biography here. But be sure to come back tomorrow when Shoebox Memories looks at the player most often traded on NHL trade deadline day.

Rental Rexy

T-Minus 7 days and counting until the NHL trading deadline.

Peter Forsberg's return appears to be over. This will free up more more focus on trades, now that the best player not in the NHL (if healthy) is off the block. Teams will have to look elsewhere.

All eyes will be on Toronto, where Mats Sundin still publicly says he will not waive his no-trade clause. Now teammate Tomas Kaberle is also saying the same thing.

Meanwhile in Tampa Vincent Lecavalier is denying he's asked for a trade. Teammate Brad Richard's name will be much discussed. The same goes for Dan Boyle, who is reportedly seeking a new contract in the range of 8 years at $6.5 million annually. Vaclav Prospal will almost certainly be moved.

Rob Blake doesn't want to leave Los Angeles, the Canucks aren't going into "sell" mode,

Listen, the trade rumors are crazy. I'm not going to try to keep up on them all. Guys like Lyle Richardson do that very well, and I don't know how. Check out Spector's Hockey for full rumor analysis.

What I do know is there will be more than a few rental players moving around by this time next week. Teams will try to salvage draft picks and prospects in exchange for unrestricted free agents to be. It makes sense when a team is unlikely to resign the player anyways. It's all about the business of hockey.

The term rental always brings up memories of Reijo Ruotsalainen. The Edmonton Oilers were so infatuated with this Paul Coffey clone that they brought him in late season twice, both times resulting in Stanley Cup championships.

After that type of success, the nickname "Rental Rexi" was firmly part of Ruotsalainen's image. So much so that even to this day when the Oilers need help on defense sports casters often joke that the team is inquiring about Ruotsalainen's availability.

Reijo Ruotsalainen is the newest addition to Greatest Legends Hockey.com. And for a bonus, I give you a look at another Rangers defenseman who earned 2 Stanley Cup rings in Edmonton, Larry Melnyk.