With the NHL trade deadline looming on Feb. 27, some teams, especially those out of the playoff picture, would love to make moves -- dumping players with large salaries, perhaps as rent-a-players, and maybe getting some prospects in return. This is easier said than done, given salary-cap restrictions, but here are seven players who teams would at least hope to jettison in order to re-tool for the future:

Peter Forsberg: The Flyers need help in so many areas that a contending team could do well to take a chance on Forsberg's health, given what the former Hart and Ross trophies-winner can do when his surgically-repaired right ankle fits into his boot without pain. The Flyers have already proven they can't win with Forsberg. At $5.75 million, he is still a point-per-game player, but has only played in 36 games this season -- after campaigns of just 60 (2005-06) and 39 (2003-04) because of assorted injuries. He is a calculated risk.

Kyle Calder: The Flyers have also spoken to the Hurricanes about this disinterested winger, whose $2.9 million salary becomes less steep as the season wears on.

Adrian Aucoin: The Blackhawks named the defenseman their captain before the start of the season, but he has been in and out of the lineup. Because of various maladies, Aucoin has played in just 66 of 135 games since the Hawks signed him to a four-year, $16-million contract in 2005. He recently missed eight games because of a pulled groin and returned after getting an anti-inflammatory shot from a specialist in Toronto.

Jose Theodore: The Avs' goaltender has been riding the wave of his Hart Trophy campaign with the Habs in 2002. He has a losing record (151-172-37) despite being a fine goaltender for much of his career. But now, as a back-up on a team that will probably miss the postseason, his $5.5 million salary seems out of whack with his ordinary numbers (25 games; 10-11-1; 3.16; .898).

Adam Foote: New Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock has occasionally gotten more out of veteran Sergei Fedorov (31 points; -7; $6.08 million) and sniper Rick Nash (32 points; -10; $4.5 million), but defenseman Foote (11 points; -17; $4.6 million) may just be one of those players who fits in better with a winning team that won't ask him to do too much. Foote's winning resume in Colorado would make him a more attractive acquisition -- if he made less money.

Brad Richards: After Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup with a skimpy $33-million payroll, the Lightning knew it would have to fork over some bills to keep its star forwards in the fold. This season, both Vincent Lecavalier (33-36-69; $7.167 million) and Martin St. Louis (32-40-72; $6 million) have been worth their steep price tags, but Smythe-winner Richards (44 points; -12; $7.8 million) has been a financial drag on a team that is struggling to make the playoffs. Rumors that the Lightning will be sold have fueled speculation that high-priced players could go.

Martin Gelinas: The Panthers' veteran forwards showed their age during much of the season. Joe Nieuwendyk retired because of a bad back. Gary Roberts and Todd Bertuzzi also sat out long stretches because of injury and would presumably be hard to move. Bertuzzi and captain Olli Jokinen are in the $5-million club. Veteran winger Gelinas, who makes $975,000, could be a more attractive option for contending teams looking to add veteran help without exceeding the cap. Bet on the Panthers moving somebody.