Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Latest NHL Speculation (8/21/2020)

• The New Jersey Devils will get Carolina’s 2020 3rd round pick after Sami Vatanen played more than two games in the qualifying round and more than 70% of the Hurricanes’ playoff games. Part of the deadline day trade conditions.

Aaron Portzline, TheAthletic (Q&A):

• If the Blue Jackets can get a skilled, 1st/2nd line center for one of their goalies, you should expect them to pull the trigger on that kind of trade. But it’s a very risky decision despite the return – Korpisalo looks like he’s the real deal and Merzlikins looks like a Vezina candidate at times. It’s all on the table.
• The fact that Elvis Merzlikins will be exempt from having to be protected at the Seattle expansion draft will be a very important (and rather appealing) factor for teams that consider trading for him.

BLH’s Thoughts: The Oilers will be looking for a goalie this summer but there’s no way in hell they’ll be giving up one of their top-six forwards (let alone one of the centers) for Merzlikins. Mikko Koskinen has two more years left on his deal and the expectation is that they’ll simply look to find a goalie who can share the net with him for at least one more year. 

• Blue Jackets can deal from positions of strength this summer, and that’s important. They have good trade pieces in Josh Anderson, strong defensive depth (Savard?), and a goalie to work with. Adds it’s gotten very quiet around Anderson and his injury, “the club will say it’s up to him when he returns” – His surgery was March 2nd with a 4-6 month recovery.

BLH’s Thoughts: Anderson has been on Edmonton’s radar for a few years now. Not sure what CBJ would be looking for in return for the big power forward though.

• CBJ forward prospect Kirill Marchenko is drawing major trade interest from around the league.
• On the Blue Jackets potentially bringing Sam Gagner back to the club this off-season: “I think that ship has sailed.” Columbus needs to do whatever is necessary to add scoring talent this off-season, and GM Jarmo Kekalainen will certainly try. Mike Hoffman has been mentioned internally as an off-season signing candidate.

BLH’s Thoughts: Depending on who you ask, there’s a strong feeling that Gagner will be returning to Edmonton. They missed his presence in the locker room after he was dealt to Detroit.

• If the Penguins are trading one of their goalies, it’ll likely be Matt Murray.

BLH’s Thoughts: This is a player I expect the Oilers to inquire about. It sounds like Justin Schultz won’t be returning and they could be in the market for a right-shot defender. Does an Adam Larsson for Murray deal make sense? 

Rick Carpiniello, TheAthletic (Q&A):

• On Henrik Lundqvist: “I think there’s a chance he retires. Much more likely he’s bought out, and signs as a free agent elsewhere.” Doesn’t see the Rangers trading Georgiev. They won’t be in the offer sheet market, and probably not heavy in the free-agent market this off-season.
• If Ryan Strome signs a one-year extension and has a good season, he could fetch the Rangers a 2nd round pick at the deadline – maybe even a 1st. Pavel Buchnevich could be made available for the right price. Probably a good chance Lias Andersson is (finally) dealt but he needs to find a way to increase his value.

BLH’s Thoughts: I thought that maybe Georgiev could be a goalie the Oilers would go after but then why would the Rangers trade him and keep Lundqvist? It’s in their best interest to keep Georgiev. As for Strome and Buchnevich, they’d be perfect for the Oilers. Would you trade Ryan Nugent Hopkins for both of these players? 

• DeAngelo has become a more tradeable commodity. If he can get them a 2nd line center in a trade who is better than Strome, they’d do it. But that scenario probably won’t happen.

BLH’s Thoughts: DeAngelo is quite the character, maybe too much of one for the Edmonton market. I think if the Oilers were comfortable playing Bear with Klefbom and those two playing the majority of the minutes, DeAngelo would be a really nice 2nd-pair option for them.

• • Calls Mike Milbury a “professional jackass.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Breaking News! Water is wet!

• Arizona Coyotes CEO Xavier Gutierrez on AZ Sports 98.7: Rick Tocchet has done an incredible job as head coach. We have full confidence in him. We will use the off-season to evaluate our GM position – Steve Sullivan is currently operating as interim GM and will be a candidate for the full-time role.
• Sticking with the Coyotes: Rick Tocchet says Christian Dvorak was playing through a shoulder injury. Brad Richardson played through a thumb injury that will require off-season surgery. Conor Garland and Nick Schmaltz suffered head injuries.
• Mark Spector: “After contacting both sides, our conclusion is we expect Puljujarvi to sign an NHL contract and return for Oilers training camp in the fall.”

BLH’s Thoughts: This is all part of the game folks. We’ve been hearing conflicting stories ever since this whole thing got going. So, I would be shocked if we heard something opposite to this at some point in the future OR if he decided to stay in Karpat until their season was over and then joined the Oilers. 

• Bob Stauffer on Oilers NOW (630CHED): Erik Haula will likely be on Edmonton’s radar this off-season, but it’ll come down to price point – thinks EDM might be on the list of the 5-6 possible destinations for Haula’s camp. He’ll be paid as a third-line center.

BLH’s Thoughts: Haula would be a beauty option for 3C in Edmonton. He has a history with James Neal from their time in Vegas and he might be a good player to have on the roster if Puljujarvi does indeed re-join the team. I assume he’ll cost a lot more than what Riley Sheahan was looking for ($1.8M) though… 

• • Elliotte Friedman: “I think it’s possible (that Todd Reirden is in trouble). I think a coaching change is something the Washington Capitals are considering.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Friedman also speculated that maybe Bruce Boudreau could return for a second kick at the can.

• • Friedman adds the Oilers are looking at other options with Athanasiou on a new contract (lower AAV) – without giving him a $3M Qualifying Offer.
• Salim Nadim Valji: There is mutual interest between the Flames and UFA goalie Cam Talbot on a contract extension. No formal talks yet, but they are expected to begin fairly soon.

BLH’s Thoughts: Talbot should do his damnedest to get a multi-year deal done in Calgary. He was excellent for them in the playoffs and very solid during the regular season.