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We are merely three days away from Wednesday's trade deadline and there is no shortage of news and speculation when it comes to what the Lightning may or may not do.

Personally, I feel that Tampa Bay are more in a place to be sellers than buyers. The focus from now until the deadline passes will be on putting this team in a position to contend for a cup next season.

Below, I have compiled a list of Lightning players that have garnered the most attention, whether it be from credible rumors or just everyday speculation. In addition, I have provided my "gut feeling" as to whether or not I think each player will be traded by the deadline along with reasons.

Ben Bishop
Gut Feeling: Traded

Let's just get the biggest one out of the way first. In my mind, Ben Bishop has to be traded before the March 1st deadline. There was a time where it would have been in Tampa Bay's interest to hold onto him but that time has passed. The chances of this team making the postseason are still very slim and it would be a shame to let Bishop walk away for nothing. I believe that there is enough interest out there for the Lightning to receive something in exchange for the 30-year-old netminder.

Brian Boyle
Gut Feeling: Traded

There is no team headed to the playoffs that could not use a guy like Brian Boyle to center their third line and provide some veteran leadership. Similar to Bishop, Boyle is due to become an unrestricted free-agent this summer. Although the Bolts would love to re-sign him, I think that Boyle is going to demand more money than Tampa will be willing to offer him. My gut says that he will be wearing another team's sweater after March 1st and the Lightning will receive a decent return for him.

Tyler Johnson
Gut Feeling: Not Traded

This is the one I struggle the most with. Tyler Johnson is set to become a restricted free-agent this summer, along with Jonathan Drouin and Ondrej Palat. Johnson is most likely going to be the odd man out and not be re-signed just due to the lack of cap space. Although I do think that the Lightning should do whatever they can to trade him before the deadline, I struggle with seeing a deal actually get done. There will definitely be interest but I think that Steve Yzerman's asking price is just going to be too high.

Valtteri Filppula
Gut Feeling: Not Traded

This is another player that teams heading into the playoffs would love to get their hands on. However, his cap hit of $5M is just too high of a number for teams to comfortably take on. Of course, there is always the possibility he gets dealt as a part of a trade with someone like Johnson but I just see the chances of this actually happening to be quite slim.

Jonathan Drouin
Gut Feeling: Not Traded

Now before you start yelling at me in the comment section, I am only adding his name because it has popped up in some conversations lately. In no way, shape, or form do I see the Lightning trading Jonathan Drouin. The ill-feelings of last year are long gone and Drouin has made it clear that he has what it takes to be an elite player for the Bolts for quite some time.

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