The latest Oilers speculation is not really new news. We’re all just awaiting the announcement where Peter Chiarelli welcomes Trent Yawney, Glen Gulutzan, and Manny Viveiros to the club, right?

What a great sign it is for Peter Chiarelli in that he’s snatching up high-end talent for the coaching staff and if the rumor below comes true, that just adds to what is looking like a great start to the summer for the Oilers GM.

I hope he gets the praise that he’s due.

Well, that bit of news was just the tip of the iceberg last night when one of my sources contacted me.

Now as usual and if I remember, I want to preface the following with some advice. Don’t take this as gospel. I’m just one guy who knows a guy within the Oilers organization out of hundreds of other guys in the same situation. Rumors are just that and a lot of the time these things NEVER come true. They simply get lost in the black hole that is the Oilers rumor mill.

That said, here’s what I was told.

Edm also talking to Mark Hunter about a role in management. 

I think a lot of Oilers fans would love this to come true given what Hunter accomplished in his time in Toronto in terms of the draft. He’s certainly got a lot of pedigree at the moment but I do wonder if his old playing club, the Montreal Canadiens or even the Calgary Flames, come knocking on his door. Better yet, the new expansion franchise in Seattle would be quite smart to snap him up as soon as it’s possible for them to start adding staff.

If Hunter were to come to Edmonton, I’d see that as a sign that a change in the position of general manager is forthcoming.

Tons of shakeups happening. Oilers are also talking to Carolina about Skinner and Faulk.

This would definitely move the needle a bit. I’m not sure how those players’ contracts would fit under the Oilers’ cap (combined they make close to $10M a year) but I imagine that would depend on the players going back to Carolina and I’d imagine that one of the higher paid defensemen would be going as well as someone whose contract is a bit too high within the forward group and for good measure, toss in a high draft pick along with a blue-chip prospect.

Another problem with this is that both Skinner and Faulk will be UFAs sooner than later. Skinner next summer and Faulk the year after. So would it be such a great move to mortgage a chunk of the future to possibly win next season. I mean what is Jeff Skinner going to command in 2019/2020 if he goes on to score 40 goals with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl as his centre? $8M or $9M a year must be in the range because Doug Wilson looks like he’s going to give a 4opt winger $7M a year… And if Faulk puts up 50-60pts, he’s going to be looking for something north of $6M a season in two years…

I just don’t think it looks like a responsible long-term move and if Peter Chiarelli is making trades to try and save his job, he’s already fired.

That being said, how motivated would those two be to score when their old coach and the Flames meet the Oilers meet 6x a year?

*UPDATE*

Sounds like they may move Sekera the other way if Sekera waives his NMC. Oilers till have almost $20M in cap and Kassian could go the other way too.

They ARE shopping Sekera because they don’t know if he’ll be the same again. 

Hang tight. This deal wouldn’t happen until the draft or the start of FA season because of how big it would be. 

Ex-Oilers assistant GM Rick Olcyk is still an AGM in Carolina and I wonder if that relationship would have a positive impact on trade negotiations here.

I didn’t watch Slovakia at the World Championships, so I can’t say if he looked any better or worse but a guy his age, not OLD mind you (only 31) but not 25 either, there are going to be valid concerns about his recovery.

Do the Hurricanes want another LHD though? And does Sekera want to go back to Carolina? Will Jim Matheson get his wish and see Jesse Puljujarvi moved in this kind of deal?

Kassian has in fact been brought up in trade discussions. I don’t know what teams are offering but I believe that Chiarelli is softly shopping him just to see what the interest level is. 

This dovetails nicely with what Bob Stauffer has said recently, and these were his rumblings, but he said that the Oilers could bring in a $4M winger IF they could find a way to move out a bottom 6 winger who makes around $2M…

Frankly, Kassian does make too much money for what he provided last season BUT that being said, he’s exactly the kind of player that Oilers will want in the playoffs. A heavy player with skill who contributes on the PK and can withstand the rigors of NHL post-season intensity. Think Auston Watson or Devante Smith-Pelly. Not the greatest during the regular season but ramp up their games in the playoffs.

Could the Oilers find a similar player that would be willing to make $1M less? Sure. I think they could do that no problem but I’m not sure they could find the sort of player that fans and teammates are so emotionally tied to like Zack Kassian.

Milan Lucic has been heavily challenged by the Oilers brass to come to camp lighter and quicker or 2018/19 is his last season as an Oilers forward. 

Contrary to the negative reports, there is, in fact, TONS of interest in Milan Lucic via trade because of what he brings.

But the Oilers want to give him a year to bounce back. 

I can definitely see this. Especially if this could be Chiarelli’s last year with the club, the next GM would have zero qualms trading the big man and freeing up some cap room.

If we take Milan Lucic’s year-end avail and what he said there as truth, then we know that he’s going to be working his ass off to drop some muscle mass but then again, you do have to wonder how serious he’ll be when he sees Ryan Reaves playing in the Stanley Cup Final knowing that Reaves is a worse player in every aspect.

I know talking to my Vancouver source that they’d be at the front of the line if Lucic hits the market. Any deal involving Lucic will have the Oilers taking some cash back and/or sending a highly regarded prospect or draft pick along with him, right? Plus he’d have to give it the green light.

So there are some pretty obvious roadblocks in moving Lucic.

Just one last thing on Milan before we put a bow on this post.

Bob Stauffer said something very interesting with regards to Looch on his show yesterday morning that made me go hmmmmm.

He has to get order in his life in order to succeed on the ice and that’s part of the challenge when you’re coming in as an older guy. Edmonton is an intense market. 

What does that mean? Lucic has to get order in his life… Something going on off the ice that is affecting Milan’s game on it?

Anyways, let me know your thoughts in the comments!