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 Oilers Now
Yesterday on Oilers Now (630CHED), host Bob Stauffer shared some insight into a potential offseason move the Edmonton Oilers could make.
- “Is there perhaps a trade of right wing at some stage for Edmonton? What happens with Zack Kassian? I’ve repeatedly said it and I’m going to stand by it, I believe that Kassian has some value around the league to some organizations like the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins who’ve had their show run the past few years by a guy named Tom Wilson.”
- “Would that allow Edmonton to create some space to potentially bring in a different type (of player)? Theoretically, a guy like Joel Armia of the Montreal Canadiens. What happens with him? He’s a real good penalty killer, a solid bottom-six forward that can kick in a bit of offense but the only way the Oilers go get Armia is if they move a right-shot guy out.”
- “The fact is in Kassian’s case, a strong argument could be made that Edmonton NEEDS Zack Kassian, needs the muscle. Especially come playoff time.”
BLH’s Thoughts: The question that is coming up in my mind is, are the Oilers going to give Kassian’s money to Armia? The Finn is currently on an expiring deal that’s paying him $2.6M/yr and Kassian makes $3.2M/yr on his contract. I’d think Armia is probably looking for a 3-4 year contract at around what Kass makes.
I’m curious though, why couldn’t the Oilers have both Kassian AND Armia on the club? I mean, Kass isn’t an overpaid winger if he’s playing in the top six and if it’s not apparent to the coaching staff by now that he tends to play with a bit more passion when he’s given top-six minutes, they’re probably beyond help at this point.
From NHLRumors.com
What it might cost the Avs to trade for Jones
Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now: Elliotte Friedman said over the weekend that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones would “love” to play for the Colorado Avalanche or Dallas Stars. Jones has already told the Blue Jackets he won’t be signing an extension with them.
For the Avs to acquire Jones, it would likely cost them one of Nazem Kadri, Tyson Jost or J.T. Compher, along with a first-round pick and a prospect like Conor Timmins or Justin Barron.
The Blue Jackets would likely ask for Bowen Byram, but wouldn’t move him for Jones in that package. might be talked into a Jones for Bowen deal. Jones is a proven defenseman while Byram isn’t.
BLH’s Thoughts: If that’s all it would take for the Avs to acquire an elite right-shot defenseman that WANTS to play on their team, they’d be daft not to jump all over that. In fact, I would consider it a “fireable offense” if Joe Sakic didn’t make that trade. None of Kadri, Jost, Compher, Timmins, or Barron will ever be as good as Seth Jones, so that right there tells you that Colorado would be the winner. How that first rounder turned out would be the definitive aspect of the deal but by the time that player was an impact NHLer, Jones would be nearing his mid-30s.
On the other hand, would it be a “fireable offense” if Jarmo Kekalainen accepted that offer?
From NHLTradeRumors.me
2 Coyotes Who Could Be Dealt
Phil Kessel: The 33-year-old sniper does nothing but stay healthy and score goals. Sure, last season was a bit of a grind at times for Kessel but with only one season left on his deal at a reduced $6.8 million, the Coyotes shouldn’t have any issues moving #81. ‘Phil the Thrill’ finished with 43 points in 56 games and with almost 100 Stanley Cup Playoff games under his belt, a contender with some cap space is the most likely landing spot for the scoring rental. Kessel holds 8-team trade protection but it’s likely he waives for another chance at winning a Cup.
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t believe the Oilers are on Kessel’s list of teams he’d accept a trade to, but trading for him would be such a Ken Holland move and would you blame him? Kessel scores, he always has and for a team that needs help scoring 5×5, if the deal was right, how could you turn that down?
As questionable as it would be to trade for The Hot Dog Man, there’d be no hesitation with Conor Garland. Just think of the outrage from Maple Leafs Nation if the Oilers beat them to Garland.
The other thing Edmonton could do is deploy the despised offer sheet since Garland is an RFA… It’d cost them a few draft picks in 2022, but if the plan is to win now, perhaps that’s an acceptable cost of doing business.
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