5 under-the-radar players who could be traded before the deadline

Some big names could be on the move before March 1, but there are several less productive players who could still provide value to buyers looking to add ahead of the trade deadline.

From veteran forwards to seasoned blue-liners, more than a handful of reasonably priced options abound for teams looking to bolster their playoff-ready rosters.

Here are five under-the-radar players who might find new homes before the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET on deadline day:

Mike Ribeiro

Ribeiro went unclaimed on waivers and was assigned to the AHL on Saturday, so he's not exactly in high demand, but his value should rise closer to the deadline as teams get a better idea of where they stand.

The 36-year-old center has certainly flown under the radar with only four goals and 25 points, but he's only a season removed from a 43-assist, 50-point campaign.

He's a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $3.5 million, and that figure shouldn't be too cumbersome for teams looking to add depth down the middle.

Patrick Eaves

There's a ton of parity in the league at the moment, and that's essentially led to crickets in terms of significant trades, because so many teams aren't sure whether they'll be buyers or sellers.

The Dallas Stars are one of those teams, sitting third-last in the Western Conference but only four points out of a playoff position.

If they bottom out and decide to sell, Patrick Eaves would have to be considered a trade candidate, considering his status as a UFA, his age (32), and his team-friendly cap hit of $1 million.

The fact that he's on pace for a career year - leading the Stars with 19 goals - doesn't hurt his value, either.

Drew Stafford

When you look at Stafford's production this season as a whole, it's not very impressive, but the Winnipeg Jets' notoriously streaky forward was putting together a nice run before an injury forced him to miss the last six games.

He's posted only 12 points in 34 contests, but eight of those points came in the last 13 games he played prior to getting hurt.

He's nearing a return, and if he picks up where he left off upon retaking the ice, he'll be a possible trade target as a pending UFA who's proven he can contribute.

The Jets are only two points out of a playoff spot, so they may opt to hold on to him, but, should they falter in the weeks ahead, Stafford could garner some interest despite his $4.35-million cap hit.

Brian Gionta

The Buffalo Sabres won't admit it, but let's be honest - they're not really in contention this season, sitting eight points out with effectively seven teams to leapfrog if they hope to claim a playoff berth.

That means, barring a February surge, general manager Tim Murray will look to do what he did at last year's deadline, when he dealt versatile forward Jamie McGinn to the Anaheim Ducks.

McGinn was a pending UFA, just like Sabres captain Brian Gionta is this year. The latter is 38 years old, but he can still score on occasion, and teams might covet his wealth of experience.

Dennis Seidenberg

The New York Islanders have resurrected their season under new head coach Doug Weight, but it's still going to be an uphill battle to qualify for the postseason.

If they deem the playoffs a lost cause come deadline time, Dennis Seidenberg would likely be discussed considering his ultra-affordable cap hit of $1 million, and his status as a steady defenseman with plenty of playoff experience, including a Stanley Cup championship with the Boston Bruins in 2011.

He's 35, and the offensive production hasn't quite been there this season, but Seidenberg could be a reliable bottom-pairing addition for a team looking to solidify its blue line.