Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers Talk: Hall, Schwartz, or Hyman?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from 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 Oilersnation (Zach Laing)

Report: Edmonton Oilers one of three front runners for UFA Zach Hyman
  • The Edmonton Oilers are one of three front runners to sign UFA forward Zach Hyman, The Star’s Kevin McGran reported Thursday.
  • According to McGran, the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks are believed to be the other two in the lead for the 29-year-old, while the Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings have also inquired.
  • Earlier today, Hyman reportedly gained permission to speak with other teams about a sign-and-trade allowing the possibility of a team acquiring him to go as long as eight years on an extension.
  • McGran also reported that Hyman’s ask is in the $5-million a year mark over that max term.

BLH’s Thoughts: If Hyman signed for $5M on the dot for 8 years, I might be able to handle that. By the time he starts to fall of the cliff, the salary cap should be going up and the structure of the deal should see him earning less as the years carry on, making it a more palpable contract to move if need be. 

I am of the hope that if he does sign in Edmonton, Holland doesn’t give him more than RNH. That would be a swift kick in the nuts to a guy who just took a hometown discount to remain with the team. It’d be a different story if it was Taylor Hall getting more than Nuge because there’s a prior relationship and Hall’s scoring record is better.

For what it’s worth, Jaden Schwartz has put up comparable numbers to Zach Hyman over the previous three years and I’m certain he won’t be getting a contract close to what Hyman eventually does. Hat tip to Jason Gregor for bringing that up on Twitter yesterday.

From The Athletic

Lowetide: Oilers must apply lessons from previous drafts in 2021, from intel gaps to trade opportunities

The lessons:

  • 1. Changing management so close to the draft and free agency had a major impact on the 2015 draft and free agency.
  • 2. Trade targets, or sudden trade opportunities, should involve having recent inside intel. If the information is lagging, it is best to stand pat unless a trusted resource has recently viewed a player.
  • 3. Trust the scouts. Although the Oilers sat for more than 100 selections, they drafted four NHL players that day (McDavid, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear and John Marino). What if management had kept all picks? What if the organization had kept Craig MacTavish as general manager for the draft?
  • 4. Edmonton should use intel gaps to its advantage, especially this summer. If the Oilers were scouting Evan Bouchard when he played in Sweden’s Allsvenskan early in the 2020-21 season, there were several draft-eligible players in that league. The top talent (Oskar Olausson is an example) will be known to all teams, but there might also be late-round gems available.

Draft and develop isn’t an easy formula, but the organization has found the right group. Adding a pick or two this week would benefit the Oilers’ future.

BLH’s Thoughts: Hard to argue with that advice. The feeling I get is that LT doesn’t feel like the Oilers are in “win-now” mode like Ken Holland does and thus the man managing the Oilers is a bit more willing to move some futures to build the team he feels will take him further to another Stanley Cup. 

That said, Tyler Wright was on Oilers Now this week and the message I took away from that interview (aside from thinking that Wright and Holland sound a lot alike) was the scouts were at the mercy of the video and the analytics for the most part. 

As it pertains to the Oilers at this year’s draft, the two names that I’ve heard, and I’m sure you have too, most mentioned are Edmonton Oil Kings netminder Sebasatian Cossa and Lulea’s Fabian Lysell. A lot of mock drafts have sharp shooting physical winger Brennan Othmann going to Edmonton too. 

From Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2021

DAILY FACEOFF: Cam Lewis cited The Athletic’s Arthur Staple recently reporting two league sources said the New York Islanders are shopping Nick Leddy. They’re hoping to get something for the 30-year-old defenseman rather than lose him in next week’s expansion draft to the Kraken for nothing.

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Sam Carchidi reports Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher is willing to trade his first-round pick (13th overall) in this year’s draft if it’ll fetch a player who can help the club over the long term.

BLH’s Thoughts: On a fantastic team the last few seasons, Nick Leddy had some of the worst fancy stats amongst his peers in the entire league. Lou Lamoriello will probably get a fantastic return for the swift-skating defender and his team will be better for it, but I feel a bit of pity for the team that picks him up. 

If you’re Chuck Fletcher and you want to rid yourself of Jakub Voracek’s contract, wouldn’t that expendable first round pick be better used trying to trade the veteran winger’s ticket?

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Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Zach Hyman is NOT the Droid Ken Holland is Looking For?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from 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 Oilersnation (Jason Gregor)

Free Agency Warning: Term Crushes Teams
  • Between 2012-2018 there were 60 UFAs signed to 4+ year deals. So far 18 have been bought out and 12 finished their careers on LTIR or in the AHL. That is 50% and the only reason there weren’t more is because agents realized you could structure deals making them almost buyout proof. Think about that for a moment: Teams are willing to sign buyout proof deals. If the deal needs to be structured that way, isn’t that a sign it likely won’t work out? And I didn’t include players who were pending UFAs and re-signed with their team. Jeff Skinner comes to mind.
  • The organizations need to understand that most long-term deals are crippling.
  • It isn’t ideal to overpay in salary, but if you do that on a shorter term, the damage doesn’t have long-lasting effects down the road.
  • Accepting you have to overpay in free agency is not a successful business plan.

BLH’s Thoughts: There’s a ton of talk that the Oilers are going to go hard after Zach Hyman and I’m hoping he’s this year’s Jacob Markstrom. Maybe Vancouver gets the winger and that’ll leave Edmonton to go the much smarter route with Taylor Hall and/or Tomas Tatar. 

I get why the team wants Hyman, he’s a hound dog and he’s fantastic in the muck and he’s going to run through a wall to score a goal as well as stop one, but he’s going to cost and arm and a leg and it’s a contract that will come back to haunt Holland, just like the Justin Abdelkader one from his days in Detroit.

All I’m saying is that if Hall is willing to sign for four or five years at a shade over $5M/yr, I’d rather take that bet than a max term one with Hyman PLUS think of all the fan excitement and jersey sales that would come from being able to bring him back… 

Lastly, do you think there’d be a player of similar style to Hyman that might be available at the trade deadline? Could Max Domi be of service for a playoff run?

From Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2021

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving quashed a recent rumor suggesting winger Matthew Tkachuk wanted out of Calgary. “There’s nothing to it,” said Treliving. He’s also touched base with other clubs to gauge interest in several of his players coming off disappointing seasons.

  • Contract extension talks have begun between Treliving and the agent for Johnny Gaudreau. The winger’s limited no-trade clause kicks in on July 28, prompting some to suggest he’d have to be moved before then if a new deal cannot be reached.
  • Team captain Mark Giordano appears a prime candidate to be snapped up by the Seattle Kraken in next week’s expansion draft. The Flames could leave him unprotected. Discussions between Giordano and Treliving on the subject are continuing.

BLH’s Thoughts: Yes, trading Tkachuk and Gaudreau would set this team back and they won’t be able to move Monahan, so that leaves Elias Lindholm and an aging Mikael Backlund as the next most realistic options. 

I believe they should move one for an upgrade on defense. They’ve got their goalie, they’ve got some up and coming wingers in Mangiapane and Dube, so the next move should be to shore up the D if they feel like they’ll lose their captain to Seattle. 

There is another plan, albeit a less savory one. They could tank the next couple of years and gun on drafting in the top-5 of the next two drafts which would net them two bloody outstanding forwards possibly. 

From The Daily Goal Horn

Sabres lower price on Jack Eichel
  • The Buffalo Sabres have lowered the asking price on Jack Eichel. I gathered back in late June that GM Kevyn Adams was trying to generate more interest in his injured and disgruntled star, and now Elliotte Friedman is confirming that in his latest podcast.
  • Let’s say it’s now 3 pieces instead of four. That should draw more teams to the table. However, if the Sabres are not willing to eat some of that $10 million cap hit, they aren’t getting that return. Primarily because only a handful of teams can take on the full hit. The Rangers and Ducks being the two teams that standout.

BLH’s Thoughts: Sounds like the Sabres aren’t liking the offers they’re getting, eh? Well, why not create a bidding war for Eichel by lowering the ask and inviting more teams to wade into the waters? Of course, the other GMs may smell blood in that water and simply wait Adams out too and see how far he’s willing to budge the closer we get to the NHL entry draft.

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Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Hyman, Smith, Larsson, and Tarasenko!

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from 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 Oilersnation (Cam Lewis)

Seravalli: I see no scenario that involves the Oilers signing Larsson before the Expansion Draft
  • We don’t yet know if Adam Larsson is going to be a member of the Edmonton Oilers next season.
  • And, according to DFO Hockey’s Frank Seravalli, it looks like we won’t be getting an answer to that question until after the upcoming Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft.
  • Seravalli appeared on The Lowdown With Lowetide on TSN 1260 on Thursday and said that he sees no scenario in which the Oilers re-sign Larsson to a new contract ahead of the Expansion Draft…
  • I suspect we’ll see this as Edmonton’s protected list… McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, Archibald, Khaira, Nurse, Keith, Bear, Skinner. I also suspect Larsson will be re-signed shortly after the Expansion Draft before the beginning of free agency.

BLH’s Thoughts: Over the last week or so, Mark Spector (Sportsnet) has sounded quite bullish that the Edmonton Oilers will be re-signing Adam Larsson once the expansion draft has concluded and I think that will be the case with a lot of players.

Brian Lawton said on Oilers Now this week that it was his understanding that Larsson’s been offered a very fair contract but also at the same time, the Swedish defensemen wants to see what the UFA experience is like. 

From Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2021

LATEST TARASENKO SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers are believed on the list of trade destinations Vladimir Tarasenko provided to the St. Louis Blues.

  • The Lightning are believed to be Tarasenko’s top preference but they’re already well over the salary cap for next season. The Rangers are an option but GM Chris Drury might want to move Chris Kreider in the deal. That could prove difficult, in part because of the winger’s no-movement clause.
  • Rutherford thinks the Islanders could also be a possible landing spot. However, they might not be willing to part with defenseman Noah Dobson. The Bruins could be unwilling to give up a first-round pick while the Flyers might not give up prospect Morgan Frost. There’s also speculation about a one-for-one swap with the Capitals for Evgeny Kuznetsov but he’s had off-ice issues and carries a $7.8 million cap hit for four more seasons.
  • It’s believed the Blues have an interest in Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk. However, the Flames aren’t on Tarasenko’s list. The Flames aren’t looking to move Tkachuk this summer but Rutherford speculates they might be forced to next summer if he doesn’t want to sign a long-term deal with the Flames.

BLH’s Thoughts: I like the Islanders here as a destination for Tarasenko. Russians love playing in the New York area according to Bob Stauffer and with the way the local media there has been throwing shade at Jordan Eberle, wouldn’t it make sense for the Isles to send Ebs and a prospect or pick to St. Louis for Tarasenko?

From The Daily Goal Horn

Blackhawks interested in Marc-Andre Fleury
  • In the wake of the Keith trade, Scott Powers of The Athletic noted that a source informed him the Blackhawks are interested in Marc-Andre Fleury. This was backed by another report from Elliotte Friedman that verified the interest.

BLH’s Thoughts: Is Chicago trying to rebuild this thing on the fly now that their captain is on the verge of returning? Seems an odd move to go out and grab Marc-Andre Fleury right now with a defense so young and moreso if they’re can’t pick up at least TWO elite defenders. 

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Button Says Seattle Should Take Tyler Benson From the Oilers in the Expansion Draft

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from 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 the Edmonton Sun (Jim Matheson)

OILERS NOTES: There’s no room to protect Adam Larsson if signed now
  • Unless Edmonton Oilers’ GM Ken Holland has changed his mind on his math for the Seattle expansion draft protected list and wants to detour from his stated three defencemen/seven forwards road, unrestricted free-agent Adam Larsson isn’t getting signed before the lists have to go into the NHL on Friday.
  • If Larsson were signed now, either Bear would have to be exposed or traded for a forward, to go the 3-7 route. Or, Holland could go 4-4, but then he would have to decide on protecting Jesse Puljujarvi or Kailer Yamamoto as his fourth forward after Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He would lean to Puljujarvi because he’s 40 pounds heavier and eight inches taller, and had 15 goals this season to Yamamoto’s eight. Then Yamamoto would be there and, since he’s from Spokane, snapped up by Seattle.
  • If Larsson is unsigned by Friday, Seattle gets from July 18-21 to talk to him exclusively. Full free-agency starts July 28. Larsson and Tampa’s fellow right-shot D David Savard are the two prize shutdown guys as UFA targets. Savard, 31 in October, is coming off a five-year deal with a $4.25-million cap hit. Larsson is 28 and ending a six-year contract at $4.167 million per season.

WHO WILL SEATTLE TARGET?

  • “If I’m Seattle, I’m going for potential and Benson has that. You know what Khaira is,” TSN commentator Craig Button said.
  • “He’s a smart player and last season started digging into the penalty-killing,” Tippett said. “He’s an interesting player for us. He’s basically a left winger, but played some right, too. Eventually guys jump in and earn their spots and away they go. That’s what we’re hoping for with Tyler.”

THIS ’N’ THAT

  • The Oilers continue to try and move Koskinen, who likely won’t be protected in the expansion draft, offering to eat some of his $4.5-million cap hit.
  • With Pekka Rinne retiring in Nashville would they take him for one year at $3 million?

BLH’s Thoughts: At this point, I feel the Oilers might be lucky to get Larsson at $4.5M/yr, but in the event that he walks, surely the team signing him will be paying him more than $5M/yr, no? A shame it’d be if that happened. 

As for Benson, he’s still young so there’s time for him to make his mark, but the AHL’s history is riddled with stories of small skilled players who lit up the league but never made it to the NHL. For Benson’s skating not to have improved enough to even get a call-up from the Oilers this past year despite leading his division in scoring, that’s a big red flag. The fact that NHL execs are still using the word ‘hope’ in relation to his NHL prospects is another. 

By the time this is published, Koskinen might’ve already been moved, regardless, that trade idea from Matheson is an interesting one. It makes sense to me because in that scenario the Oilers wouldn’t have any dead weight on their books next season and at half of his salary, he’s an attractive backup option for other teams looking to fill that hole on their roster. 

From Oil on Whyte (Sean Mallon)

Oilers: Three Good Things About the Duncan Keith Trade
  • With 16 NHL seasons behind him, none can question that Keith knows about both attacking and defending at the pro hockey level. Teams feared facing him, and at least some portion of the skills he developed and perfected over his career should be transferable.
  • Leadership qualities have potential value… Keith doesn’t need to come in and take over the room.  Frankly, if you aren’t inspired to play your best hockey when you get to suit up next to the best player in the world today, witnessing all the things he does to keep himself in top shape and constantly improve his game, then maybe pro hockey isn’t for you.
  • Looking at his specific circumstances, on a Chicago roster that was a shadow of its former greatness, as well as considering the unbelievable season that fellow 38-year-old Mike Smith had for the Oilers, there is at least a chance that Edmonton can see a positive gain from this acquisition.

BLH’s Thoughts: It’s nice to see some Oilers blogs saying nice things about Duncan Keith… 

From Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2021

WILD TO PURSUE EICHEL?

TSN: Darren Dreger talked about what could be next for the Minnesota Wild following their decision to buy out the contracts of winger Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter. Re-signing restricted free agents Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala are priorities.

Dreger said the Wild would love to add a first-line center. He believes they’ll make a trade offer to the Buffalo Sabres for Jack Eichel. However, general manager Bill Guerin won’t blow their cap space or overpay with trade assets.

of his $10 million annual cap hit for the next five seasons.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE BLACKHAWKS FOLLOWING THE KEITH TRADE?

NBC SPORTS: Adam Gretz examined what could be in store for the Chicago Blackhawks after shipping Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week. They could attempt to acquire Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones, especially after getting younger brother Caleb Jones as part of the return from the Oilers. They also have enough cap space to pursue Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Dougie Hamilton if he hits the open market on July 28.

BLH’s Thoughts: How in the world are the Wild going to pay Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, and Kevin Fiala after buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter? I mean, of course it’s possible, but is Bill Guerin going to fill out the rest of the roster with sub-million dollar players?

I might be in the minority, but I don’t think Seth Jones will go to Chicago and considering what the Blue Jackets are demanding from the Blackhawks in return for him, Stan Bowman can’t seriously be considering that trade. I see Jones going to a team in SoCal.

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Should Ken Holland Keep Some Powder Dry for the 2021-22 Trade Deadline?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from 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 Oilersnation (Jason Gregor)

Oilers: Let’s Cut to the Chase
  • “It is now or never” accurately depicts the mindset of the organization. They are in “win now” mode, mainly because of the contracts of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
  • That doesn’t mean Edmonton has to win a Stanley Cup in the next four seasons. I don’t believe they do, but they need to win multiple playoff series in multiple seasons. Alex Ovechkin didn’t win a Stanley Cup until his 13th season. Steven Stamkos won in his 12th season and he missed the playoffs five times. Victor Hedman was in his 11th season when they won and he also missed the dance five times. All three had to go back to the drawing board after disappointing postseason losses, but eventually, they reaped the rewards and hoisted the Cup.

HOW WILL THEY DO IT?

  • They will bite the bullet and buy out James Neal after the expansion draft. It will free up $3.8m in cap space for the next two seasons, and then have $1.91m in dead cap space in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025..
  • At the 11th hour, Adam Larsson re-signs in Edmonton.
  • Ken Holland finds a trade partner for Mikko Koskinen.
  • At the drop of a hat, they will sign a left-wing free agent, probably two. In no particular order, I see them looking into Zach Hyman, Tomas Tatar, Mike Hoffman, Mattias Janmark and Taylor Hall
  • Sign Derek Ryan to a one-year deal.

HERE AND THERE…

  • Seattle can choose between Kris Russell, Jujhar Khaira, Dominik Kahun, Tyler Benson, William Lagesson, Neal or Koskinen. Your guess is as good as mine on who Seattle will take, but I could see it being Russell. Maybe Benson.
  • Kyle Turris is training in Edmonton. He’s been working hard the past eight weeks hoping to rebound from an underwhelming season.

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t see Seattle taking Russell. There are going to be a plethora of better defenders for Ron Francis to take, so for me, Kahun, Benson, and Khaira are the best candidates for the Kraken. 

My own feeling, based off of nothing other than would I’d do in his shoes, is that I think Holland could save a bit of cash with eyes to the trade deadline next season. Meaning maybe he brings in Tomas Tatar on a cheap one year deal, Derek Ryan for $1M short-term, and perhaps Barclay Goodrow for something in the $2M-range instead of paying Hyman or Hall or Danault big bucks. 

If the Oilers went that route, then they could target somebody like Filip Forsberg, John Klingberg, Darcy Kuemper, Ryan Strome, Calvin De Haan, Rickard Rakell, Mattias Ekholm, etc. at the trade deadline and really stack the roster should none of those players sign new contracts with their current teams.

From The Cult of Hockey

One important detail that Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland got absolutely right on Duncan Keith deal
  • It would have been insane to trade Grade A prospects like Bouchard, Holloway and Broberg for a fading superstar like Keith, but it was rumoured that Grade A- prospects like Samorukov, McLeod and Lavoie might be on the table. If Holland had included any of those A- prospects in the deal, in addition to Caleb Jones, a B+ prospect at this point, I would have considered it gross incompetence. I’m greatly relieved to hear Holland say that was never on the table.
  • Fingers crossed that Keith can be the new Sekera for a year or two. I don’t think it’s likely but I don’t think it’s impossible either.

BLH’s Thoughts: I agree, it would’ve been insane to deal one of the team’s best prospects for Keith UNLESS the Hawks were retaining salary and sending a better player than Tim Soderlund. 

The comparison to Andrej Sekera is an interesting one. I also don’t think it’s likely but because I think Keith will be better. Seksi was a shell of himself after Getzlaf smoked him in the playoffs and did his knee in plus he was known as the “Shinpad Assassin” for a reason… 

I think Duncan Keith will have a better season than folks are willing to say. I believe he’ll be reinvigorated and re-energized and he’s going to bring a unique energy to the Oilers clubhouse. His enthusiasm will be mirrored by the rest of the Oilers squad, especially Edmonton’s young defenders. 

From Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2021

COULD AVALANCHE PART WAYS WITH LANDESKOG?

TSN: Darren Dreger said the Colorado Avalanche and captain Gabriel Landeskog aren’t even close in their contract talks. The 28-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 28. He pointed out it’s still early in the process.

TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD FOR PREDATORS?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Nashville Predators face some difficult decisions in the upcoming expansion draft. They’ve got five defensemen they really like in Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier.

He thinks the Predators have had a discussion about a side deal with the Seattle Kraken. They could also trade a defenseman to another club before the draft. They could opt to protect those five by protecting eight skaters but LeBrun doubts they’ll do that. He also speculated they could expose center Matt Duchene.

BLH’s Thoughts: I know I wrote in this space a few weeks ago that I believed the Avalanche could be looking to transition it’s leadership from Landeskog to Nathan MacKinnon. Is it a good move? Personally, I’d keep him around because he can do it all, but the Avs are going to have to sign some big contracts soon.

There some publications connecting Landeskog to the Maple Leafs and I wonder if he could go there if they moved on from William Nylander? He played his junior for Kitchener, his wife is from the area, and he’s probably the closest thing to the Wendel Clark//Doug Gilmour type they could use. For that reason, I’d much rather Ken Holland chase him than Zach Hyman.

It’s funny with the Preds, they’re trying to move Ryan Johansen and his underwhelming regular seasons and it sounds like they’re not going to protect Matt Duchene for the expansion draft. Do they actually believe Seattle will take him? Why? Another question is, how much would they be willing to pay to have Ron Francis select either one of those centers? Pierre LeBrun says prices are exhorbitant, so does that mean David Poile would need to part with a Philip Tomasino plus another piece to relieve himself of one of those high-priced pivots? Would he?

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