Here we are, the 2019 NHL trade deadline is upon us and the Oilers could make some big moves but are unlikely to do so. Interim-GM Keith Gretzky’s mandate is to clear cap space NOT make a big splash and Bob Nicholson is overseeing everything like a David Hasselhoff protected beach. Nothing is getting by him.
From what I understand, the following players are being shopped heavily as you read this but according to my sources, the Oilers are likely to be quiet today.
- Matt Benning
- Kyle Brodziak
- Alex Chiasson
- Zack Kassian
- Milan Lucic
- Tobias Rieder
- Alex Petrovic
Now, the Oilers can offer these players out but that doesn’t mean they’re going to get traded.
I also hear conflicting reports on Kris Russell. Some say there’s no way he’s being moved and I’ve been told there’d been exploratory conversations with Columbus. Probably a summer move if he’s to be traded.
If Brodziak didn’t have another year on his deal, he’d have been traded already. There are some retirement rumors floating out there. Not sure how legit those are.
Chiasson had been connected more prominently to the San Jose Sharks but then they went ahead and traded for Gus Nyquist. That said, I was told there’s still a small possibility he ends up there. Lowetide mentioned two players yesterday in his blog, Rourke Chartier and Antti Suomela. Both older forwards playing in the AHL at the moment.
I’m still waiting for Vegas to drop the bomb here. They play things tight to the chest but Edmonton was just scouting the Golden Knights recently too… It’d be great for the team if they could bring in Brandon Pirri and Daniel Carr.
Edmonton has been scouting Boston and Chicago A LOT this past month and it would surprise me a little if the Oilers didn’t make a deal with at least one of these teams.
I talked about cehlarik briefly here:https://t.co/KeMyuZiQLY
Also, cehlarik has been connected in trade rumors to the #Oilers since 2017https://t.co/7w7nlaJWTe https://t.co/Gz0TF1M84c
— 𝑩𝑳𝑯 (@BeerLeagueHeroe) February 25, 2019
I think that since there are a few more shoes to drop (Wayne Simmonds and Mark Stone namely), players like Chiasson and Kassian are likely to be dealt later in the day or not at all. The Oilers have been really impressed with their work ethic and compete and the team does need bodies on the roster for their game tonight.
When will they learn in Edmonton that the goal should be to buy low, SELL HIGH? People always complain when a guy is traded when his value is low, but never want to trade anyone when their value is high. LOL. So stupid. https://t.co/ZFTvuPU4LG
— ☘️🏒SPR 🏒☘️ (@TheOilKnight) February 25, 2019
SPR makes a good point here. The Oilers couldn’t give Kassian away earlier in the year (when he asked out) and now there are quite a few teams knocking on Gretzky’s door asking for Kass. I’m not sure if you want to deal him straight across for Cehlarik mind you but that gets the conversation going, right? Maybe Cehlarik and Zach Senyshyn for Kassian and Matt Benning?
I’ve been told that the fleet-footed Senyshyn can be had as he’s fallen out of favor in Boston to some degree. His development has stalled a bit since joining their AHL affiliate in Providence. But Keith Gretzky was all over that pick when he selected him for the Bruins in 2015 (instead of Matt Barzal, Thomas Chabot, or Brock Boeser…).
Either way, keep a close eye on any transactions coming from the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. If a forward gets called up, that might mean that the Oilers have dealt a forward for picks and/or prospects.
Also, there are going to be a lot of players going on waivers today. We might see Edmonton dip their toes into that pool should the need arise.
JESSE PULJUJARVI
Jesse Puljujarvi heads to NY to get a 2nd opinion on his hip, surely with his agent in tow, and now the rumors are starting to flow… pic.twitter.com/NtqST7COJv
— 𝑩𝑳𝑯 (@BeerLeagueHeroe) February 25, 2019
I found the timing of these rumors incredible when I discovered them. Jesse Puljujarvi is in NY getting a second opinion on his banged-up hip at the moment. I would think his agent, Markus Lehto, is there as well. Is it too convenient that these hot takes would get released now?
Lehto has clients in both Boston (Rask) and New York (Pionk)… #Weird
Interesting to read Jimmy Murphy say that the Oilers had been talking with Boston for a couple of months now. How long has Lehto wanted his client moved and has Jesse been dealing with this hip issue since then?
If you remember there was the game vs. Vancouver on January 16th where Puljujarvi only played 6 minutes and a bit of a huff was made over that. Was that the catalyst?
Would you have traded Puljujarvi for Ryan Donato? Or included him in a trade to move Lucic’s contract?
I think there’s a VERY outside chance he’s traded today but I wouldn’t bet on it. The best thing for him now is to get whatever procedure done that needs to be done, rehab, and come back stronger than ever next season either to win a spot on the Oilers or to increase his value enough to have him traded.
Just one last thing on this Puljujarvi mess. For those of you who think that the relationship is too far gone to repair, remember how rocky it got between Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and you’d be surprised how fast minds change when winning is involved.
I will say this though, if the Oilers don’t manage to make any more trades, I will view this effort as a fail on their part.
They’ve done well bringing in Gagner and Stolarz but they should absolutely be able to move some of the players I mentioned above to teams looking to add depth for their playoff runs.
Speaking of the runs, congratulations to Josh Currie on scoring his first NHL goal! Atta go to the net and make things happen bud!
It may not make the highlight reels but for those from @PEIslandCanada it's another #PEIproud moment .
Congrats to @EdmontonOilers Josh Currie on his 1st @NHL goal last nite . pic.twitter.com/krdJJJbYzH— Michael McCarville (@Nook4SHR) February 24, 2019
So enjoy the day and don’t get too pissy if the Oilers don’t make any moves. Everyone is saying they’ll be quiet but I for one will be hoping they make one notable roster transaction. At least something to really make watching them worthwhile for another 20 games.
