Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!
From NHL Trade Rumors (dot) me
Blogger Stan Sweeney recently wrote about the three Edmonton Oilers who he thinks need to be traded. They are as follows,
Mikko Koskinen: This one isn’t Ken Holland’s fault but it’s certainly his garbage to clean up now. Koskinen wasn’t horrible in his 26 appearances this season, posting a 3.17GAA but he certainly didn’t steal the Oilers any points and was notorious for letting in back-breaking goals. The 32-year-old Finnish monster has one year left on his contract, paying him way too much at $4.5 million. His modified trade protection covers 15 teams, but that doesn’t mean much because it’s going to be near impossible to move him. Expect a buyout this offseason.
BLH’s Thoughts: On his own, Koskinen did not fare well in Edmonton’s net, but when he was sharing the duties with Mike Smith, he was way way better. Now, if that were the scenario going forward but his contract was more palpable, he’d probably run out his contract in Edmonton. However, that’s not the case at all. He makes too much money for the role he plays and I think it’s a fait accompli that he’s dealt or bought out.
James Neal: The real deal Neal hasn’t been consistent enough for the Oilers and needs to be moved. The team needs more consistency from their secondary scoring and Neal hasn’t provided it. With two years left at $5.75 million, teams won’t be lining up for Neal’s contract so a trade will be tough to facilitate. 10 points in 29 games is a tough sell on the trade market when you make what Neal makes. Regardless, Holland and Oilers management need to do whatever they can to move on.
BLH’s thoughts: The legs aren’t there anymore and I’ve read some folks who think he might be bought out. A plan that I think was very much behind Ken Holland dealing Milan Lucic to Calgary for him. One issue though, if Edmonton buys out Koskinen, would they also buy out Neal OR could they find a trade partner who’d accept Neal with a sweetener and then themselves buy him out? I’ve also heard that he could be sent to Bakersfield to run out his deal in the AHL. I believe that would save Edmonton a shade over $1M on the cap if they did that.
Kyle Turris: Turris was supposed to be the perfect compliment at the #3 center spot, and unfortunately it never materialized for him. The Oilers desperately need a right-handed center who can win big faceoffs and were exposed several times against the Jets. Turris is making only $1.65 million next season, which isn’t the worst contract in the league, but the team needs more out of him. Perhaps a move for another veteran to take a flyer on is the play here. Five points in 27 games just didn’t cut it.
BLH’s Thoughts: After Turris was moved to the wing, I felt he performed better. He’s at the same point in his career that Sam Gagner was when he came back. Turris just needs to pivot his playing style like Sam did. I don’t see any teams looking to bring him in and my feeling is that he’ll get farmed out… Also like Sam did. Another option might be a mutual termination.
As for my three players who could use a change of scenery,
- Caleb Jones – Seems to have lost the coaches’ trust
- Tyler Benson – I don’t see a future for him in Edmonton if he hasn’t made it so far.
- Jujhar Khaira – I reckon the Oilers will go a different direction and his value is at an all-time high right now.
- Honorable Mention: Zack Kassian
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