Countdown to TradeCentre: Giroux, Lindholm trades a matter of time?

Monday's NHL Trade Deadline is approaching and teams are making decisions on whether to buy, sell and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out today's trade rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat. And follow TradeCentre on TSN and TSN.ca through Deadline Day for all the updates.

As the final weekend before the trade deadline approaches it appears it may only be a matter of time before the two players sitting atop the TSN Trade Bait board are moved.

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports Flyers star Claude Giroux, who is listed at No. 1 on the Trade Bait board, will not play either of the team's remaining games before the deadline as Philadelphia works on a trade for a captain. Meanwhile, LeBrun also reports that the Ducks have made no progress towards an extension to keep defenceman Hampus Lindholm in Anaheim and will hold him out the lineup Friday as they focus on a trade.

Source says Hampus Lindholm won’t play tonight. Will be held out as the Ducks focus on a trade for him. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has repeatedly stated his plan to trade the team's unrestricted free agents who have not re-signed by the deadline, though LeBrun adds the 28-year-old will not come cheap. In fact, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports the current ask is a first-round pick, a third-round pick and a top prospect, with the price possibly being inflated after the Montreal Canadiens return for Ben Chiarot earlier this week.

A few teams continue to digest a steep asking price for Hampus Lindholm. There’s always wiggle room, but the current ask is a 1st, a 3rd and a top prospect. Likely some spin off from the Chiarot trade to Florida.

LeBrun pointed