Here are Two Centers Who Could Help Edmonton’s 4th Line Next Season

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 Spector’s Hockey

LATEST AVALANCHE SPECULATION

THE DENVER POST: Mike Chambers, Mark Kiszla and Ryan O’Halloron discussed possible offseason moves for the Colorado Avalanche following their second-round elimination by the Vegas Golden Knights.

They mused over Gabriel Landeskog’s future with the club following his disappointing performance against the Golden Knights. Chambers speculates the Avs could offer their captain a “take it or leave it” offer of $5 million annually and not at his preferred term. O’Halloran believes a “bad team with salary-cap space” like the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks seeking a “heart-and-guts leader like Landeskog” will give him an offer he can’t or won’t refuse.

If Sakic decides to make a blockbuster move, Chambers believes he should target a third-line power forward similar to Vegas’ Alex Tuch and “a big, heavy defenseman”. Kiszla proposed offering Girard to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Seth Jones, though he admitted the Jackets could be hesitant to do that deal. O’Halloran proposed pursuing Buffalo’s Jack Eichel but also suggested more realistic options like Montreal’s Phillip Danault or Toronto’s Nick Foligno.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve had some tell me that there’s no way the Avs walk away from Landeskog but I’m not so sure after this past year. Their young defense were really exposed and if there’s a chance they can add Seth Jones at the cost of their current captain, that could be a sacrifice well worth the cost.

The name in the rumor mill going to Columbus in the Seth Jones speculation is Samuel Girard. Do the Blue Jackets need another lefty though and if you’re Jarmo Kekalainen, aren’t you asking for Bowen Byram?

From NHLRumors.com

Could the Canucks be interested in Alex Kerfoot?

Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Vancouver Canucks pending UFA center Brandon Sutter would prefer to remain with the team. wonders if the Canucks should have some trade interest in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot.

The 32-year old Sutter has had issues staying healthy. If the Canucks bring Sutter back to center their fourth-line, what does that mean for Jay Beagle who has a year left at a $3 million salary cap hit and $2.2 million salary?

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t mind the idea of Edmonton taking on Beagle for a year in the right deal to play on the 4th line. He’s a right shot and won 56.2% of his faceoffs this past year. If I’m not mistaken, he was also on Washington’s Stanley Cup winning team alongside current Oiler (for the time being) Alex Chiasson.

For what it’s worth, Sutter played thirteen more games than Beagle this year, is also right-handed, and had a FO% of 55.5%. I’d have time for him as well in an Oilers jersey.

From NHL Trade Talk

Might Holland Let Nugent-Hopkins Test the Market?

The downside of the Oilers doing what the Hurricanes are doing (allowing Dougie Hamilton to speak to other teams before free agency opens) is that another team might value Nugent-Hopkins more than the Oilers do. It’s not that the Oilers don’t value him; most reports suggest both sides want this to work out. That said, for GM Ken Holland, he’s got a lot of things he needs to tackle this offseason. Drawing a line in the sand on a Nugent-Hopkins extension might be the best way to handle this particular piece of business.

BLH’s Thoughts: I never considered a sign-and-trade deal for RNH before. They’re more rare than an offer sheet I reckon so I don’t even know how to gauge the asset value there. I’ll have to think on that one for a bit.

There’s another option nobody is talking about though. If Seattle comes to an agreement with Nuge and signs him, he instantly becomes their expansion draft selection off of the Oilers. Not many people know this but they can offer Nugent-Hopkins an 8yr term as if he’s one of their own players. How do the Oilers compete with that if they’re asking him to take less than $6M/yr when the Kraken are possible offering closer to $7M/yr…