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

Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Oilers Should Be Looking to Acquire this Russian Winger

There’s a Russian winger playing out of the Central Division that the Edmonton Oilers should have on their trade deadline wish list. He’s got size, skill, speed, a very good two-way game, and fears no one…

For what it’s worth, I don’t like Edmonton’s chances vs. the Stars tonight. Dallas is a motherf*cker of a team right now and deep as hell. Oilers are sending Pickard out, too… PLUS they’re mucking around with the line combos again… Keep an eye on some off-looking TOIs with the Oilers tonight. There might be some showcasing going on as we approach the deadline here in a couple weeks.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Hard Pass

“Friday afternoon, Rick Dhaliwal, a Vancouver Canucks reporter, was discussing the availability of Tanev on Sportsnet 650 as the Canucks could also be interested in reacquiring him for a second tenure in Vancouver… However, within that segment, he dropped a bit of a hint that indicated the Oilers were ‘making a push for Tanev’.” – The Oil Rig

  • I didn’t hear what the “hint” was that indicated the Oilers were moving in on Tanev and Twitter has revealed a whole lot of nothing in addition to the write of the article failing to post any quote. So, who knows? Maybe it was one of those Stauffer-isms where there’s just enough to let you think Edmonton could be in on him but not enough to actually link anything.
  • Then again, Bob Stauffer has proposed a deal that would send Brett Kulak to CGY, but that was when he was all hard for Elias Lindholm. Nothing about Tanev to my recollection.
  • Now, I could see Edmonton being in negotiations for the Flames defender but he’s not the guy I’d go after if I was GM. He’s a hit or a blocked shot away from shattering into a million pieces and you don’t think teams are going to go after him?
  • Another thing the Oilers could be doing is driving up the price on him by letting certain outlets know they’re looking at him.
  • Some might believe that they’re dangling Philip Broberg but I personally believe that the young Swede could be a better dman with time. He’ll block shots and take hits to make plays but he’ll move the puck better, he’ll skate better, and he’ll provide more offense for a fraction of the price. He just needs a little more time.
  • At this point if you’re asking him whether I’d have Tanev or Sean Walker, I’m going with the latter. His skating, offense, and puck moving makes that an easy one. If you want a tough dman who’ll block shots and get gritty, there are plenty of those out there that won’t cost a 1st rounder or two 2nd rounders plus.
Damn! 

“Jeff Marek had Davidson on his show Friday. Davidson said the forward is not being traded and when asked about how often teams are calling Columbus, Davidson acknowledged it was often. He added, “I’m being very transparent, we get a lot of calls on Boone, but Boone’s not going anywhere. Boone doesn’t want to go anywhere.” – The Hockey Writers

  • Edmonton was a team that called on him…
From St. Louis with Love

“Pavel Buchnevich is not performing at his typical standards this season at 5v5, but make no mistake, he is a fantastic option. In the past three seasons, he ranks 43rd in 5v5 points per hour, and if you glance at the three seasons prior to this one, he ranks 18th. At age 28, he is not particularly old either” – Oilersnation

  • When I watched the Blues/Oilers game the other day I noticed Buchnevich on the PK. He’s a big boy that can skate really well. Fast, too. I wouldn’t mind that on the Oilers.
  • That additional year on his contract could be problematic though. Another season at $5.8M… Is he enough of a top-sixer for Edmonton’s appetite? Could he be this year’s Val Nichushkin?
  • It’s funny when you look him up on YouTube because he’s got quite a few clips of him getting rough with the opposition. Headbutts, crosschecks, massive open-ice hits, and he’s got a fight vs. Steven Stamkos on the books, too!
  • Is this the kind of deal where you’d send the Blues a first rounder and St. Louis eats half of the remainder of Buchnevich’s deal? Throw in Warren Foegele and maybe another prospect to really make it a juicy offer?

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Seravalli Thinks This Trade Would be a Good One for Edmonton, but I’m Not So Sure

Today, we’re talking about a mock trade that involves a beloved ex-Oiler and then finishing off with some chatter about where the Edmonton Oilers should be focusing their attention at roster-wise as the trade deadline approaches.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Getting the Boys back together!

To Edmonton: Jordan Eberle (75% retained)
To Seattle: 2024 1st Rd Pick, Raphael Lavoie (to retain 50%)
To Chicago: 2025 4th Rd Pick (to retain 25%), Mattias Janmark (to make the cap hits work)

“Eberle, now 33, and seven years removed from his last appearance in Oil Country, is still a productive player. He collected 20 goals and 63 points last season and is on-track for 15 goals and 49 points this year… if the Oilers were to draw up a fit, they’d be looking for a right-shooting, top-six forward who is pass-first to play with Leon Draisaitl. Eberle checks all of those boxes. Plus, when you consider the market, he is likely to be among the most cost-effective players available relative to acquisition price… Eberle has 19 goals and 45 points in his last 63 postseason games, which is a higher points-per-game rate (0.71) than his career average (0.69).” – Frank Seravalli, Dailyfaceoff.com

  • Getting Eberle at that sort of discount would be something I could get behind. However, I am concerned that he’s lost a step.
  • That said, his shooting percentage is sitting about three points under his career average and one could see that popping back up with better centers.
  • My only real qualm with this proposal is that Ken Holland has said time and time again that he won’t use a first rounder on a rental and there are better players/deals out there where he could use his 1st rounder and upgrade his roster not only for this season but next as well.
  • We know that Eberle is going to be a UFA this summer and if it’s only money being spent to bring him in, why not do it then? He’ll be cheaper than the expiring $5.5/yr deal he’s one right now. There’s no doubt in my mind about that.
  • I suppose Ebs re-upping in Seattle would put a cork in those plans though… So it’s up to the team to decide if he’s worth it.
  • Personally, I’d avoid using a 1st rounder in any rental deal like it’s the plague. Use a prospect that’s already in the system.

Ferraro Says Oilers Need Depth at Forward

“I see a forward for a couple of reasons. It would be nice to get a little bit more depth offensively. Like somebody you can rely upon to score. I mean they thought it was gonna be Connor Brown, he don’t have a goal this, this year, right?

I also think another, another forward gives you versatility that Edmonton really doesn’t have with their forwards right now. That they would like to have.” – Ray Ferraro, TSN

  • Ya know, I wonder if they don’t punt Brown and Janmark for better depth. Names like Duhaime (MIN) and Malenstyn (WAS) are popping up. Sam Carrick’s (ANH) name is starting to surface more and more, too.
  • Why not just rip out the carpet and put some new stuff in?
  • Oskar Sundqvist has, what, 20 points for St. Louis as a 4th liner? They’ve also got the Toropchenko beast scoring in their bottom six. Edmonton doesn’t have any of that. Those boys are all massive, can skate, are aggressive, and defensively sound. Can you say the same about Janmark, Brown, Ryan, Gagner, etc.?
  • I think if Brown and Janmark are your backups for the full-time roster, you’re in good shape.
  • The other day we talked about possibly bringing in Scott Laughton, Sean Walker, and then going out and grabbing Daniel Sprong, right? Would the Oilers have enough to pick up Duhaime and Bogosian out of Minny, too? Those are definitely the kinds of deals contending teams make to round out their team. Edmonton should be doing it too.
Piggybacking

“A stronger bottom six, the Edmonton Oilers will give them a better chance and I think the opportunities are there. Ken Holland can look in those areas. And I don’t think the price will be significant, but I think that it could be really helpful to the Oilers chances come playoff time.” – Mike Johnson, TSN

  • I think that’s it right there. The club expects a rematch with either Colorado or Vegas and they feel that if their bottom-six is as good as or better than their opponents’, they’ll beat them.
  • More speed, more size, more intensity. If Edmonton can get that, I think they’ll be in better shape, but it won’t mean anything if they continue to put up stinkers like they’ve been doing every other game since the end of the all-star break…
  • They’ve got all those games in hand, but if they fail to gain any points with them, it’s all for naught.

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Could Evander Kane Be Dealt in Mega Deadline Trade?

Today, we’re talking Guentzel, the likelihood of Philip Broberg being dealt, and a mock trade idea involving the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.

Now, I’ll be honest, I’m getting tired of talking about Guentzel and now that he’s dinged up, I’m hoping that talk dies down a bit and some fresh names enter the chat. Another thing that’s giving me grey hairs is all this talk about Broberg getting moved. I don’t think that’s happening either. I do, however, think there’s a chance that Ken Holland blesses this team with one last blockbuster before he rides off into the sunset.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Balancing the Roster

“In the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman noted that GM Kyle Dubas is looking for a return similar to what Claude Giroux got when traded by the Philadelphia Flyers. Initially rumored for the Colorado Avalanche, ultimately joined the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 1st-rounder, 3rd-rounder, and Owen Tippett. Friedman suggests that if the Penguins’ Jake Guentzel becomes available, Pittsburgh may seek a similar deal.” – NHL Trade Talk

  • I don’t think Edmonton’s doing it unless they get a player back with term OR a new deal’s been negotiated with Guentzel’s camp prior to the trade and to me, that seems short-sighted for both parties.
  • Can the Oilers afford another $8M+ player in their top-six? I don’t think so. Not with McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard’s deals expiring shortly.
  • They need another budget winger on Leon’s line. That could be the aforementioned Daniel Sprong. It could be a friendly deal from an ex-Oiler like David Perron or Jordan Eberle. It could be somebody homegrown like Rafa Lavoie…
  • The roster needs more balance and throwing another heavyweight in the top-six does the opposite of that.
  • And there’s this:
Not Gonna Do it! Wouldn’t be Prudent

“In a recent article for The Athletic, Daniel Nugent-Bowman quoted Holland who, when asked about a Broberg trade, said, “No. I don’t see it.” He added, “It’s hard to find 6-foot-4 young defencemen.” Holland understands the crossroads he is at with his team this season. They feel the need to add to their roster, and typically, you have to give to get, but there are some players you just don’t want to give. – NHL Trade Talk

  • So I’ve said it, Stauffer’s said it, and now the GM of the team is saying it. Broberg’s staying.
  • I know Friedman and Marek are still talking about the young Swede being one of Edmonton’s most valuable assets right now and that could be them not being convinced about what the team is saying or it could be them just drumming shit up.
  • I’ll stand by my comments made on January 18th, 2024, though. I think the plan is to keep Broberg and play him with Ekholm OR he’ll replace Kulak. He’s ready.

Swinging for the Fences

“I think you guys are trying to hit at least one home run and the question is: What do you decide that that home run is going to be?

The guy I think who Edmonton rates the highest is (Jake) Guentzel (of the Pittsburgh Penguins). Now I’m not saying that that is going to happen, but I think that’s the guy that they rate the highest as who is available out there. Well, if you’re really going to reasonably get a guy like Jake Guentzel, it’s going to cost you your best assets. The best of what you have is going to go to get him.”  – Elliotte Friedman

  • I’m not convinced that the Oilers will have enough to get their hands on Guentzel, but with that said, I could see them making big waves at the deadline. It’s Ken Holland’s last kick at the can and he’s going to do his best to reward this group.
  • The other thing that leads me to believe that Edmonton might make a big splash is by looking back at last year’s deadline acquisition, Mattias Ekholm. Remember all the pissing and moaning from the local Oilers media regarding how Tyson Barrie would sorely be missed? I could definitely see another one of those deals coming. I wonder if Evander Kane could be the guy that is this year’s Tyson Barrie?
  • My guess is that IF the Oilers did make a move involving Kane that they’d want a winger in return that has term on his deal still. A guy like Travis Konecny maybe? Is there a mega-deal being negotiated that would see Konecny, Walker, and Laughton (with a splash of retained salary) go to Edmonton for Kane, Ceci, and multiple picks?

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Does This Trade Make Sense for the Oilers?

Did the Oilers ever take Detroit to Poundtown last night or what?! A Valentine’s Day Massacre, if you will… McDavid throwing up six apples like it was nothing, Kane’s back to scoring, Cody Ceci actually scored a goal, and how about that Holloway gino? Fackin’ beauty, eh?

Today, we’re going to start off with a trade proposal from Sportsnet’s Jason Bakula between the Flyers and the Oilers. Then we’ll touch on a tweet from Bob Stauffer that piggybacks on what I said last month regarding Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Lastly, Oilersnation put out an informative blog on former Oiler David Perron and why any team looking to acquire him should do so at their own risk.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Sportsnet Trade Proposals

“Edmonton trades: 2024 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, Cody Ceci, Connor Brown
Philadelphia trades: Scott Laughton, Sean Walker (and retains 50 per cent salary on Walker)”

“The Oilers will get more scoring from Walker. He’s more involved offensively than Ceci, skates better, transitions the play up ice more effectively, and doesn’t fall off defensively.

With the Ceci and Laughton contracts changing hands the Oilers would save $250,000 on their cap. Adding Brown to the mix saves the Oilers an additional $775,000… If the Flyers would agree to absorb 50 per cent of Walker’s contract, it would save the Oilers an additional $1.325 million in deadline day space.”

“… the Oilers would have the cap room to add Sprong and his 14 goals and 19 assists to their lineup. I’m envisioning the cost to acquire Sprong being the Oilers’ second round pick this June.” – Jason Bakula, Sportsnet

Nugent-Hopkins – McDavid – Hyman
Kane – Draisaitl – Sprong
McLeod – Laughton – Perry
Ryan – Janmark – Foegele
Holloway, Gagner

Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Walker
Kulak – Desharnais
Broberg

  • I’m swayed. I like the depth this roster presents. I’m still concerned about the consistency of the players acquired as well as the lack of physicality and size the club would be going into the post-season with.
  • Offense-wise, it’s hard not to like that potential roster. What do you think?
  • Another thing to consider, Edmonton would be keeping their best young players and they’ll need them going into next season.
  • A question worth asking is, does Ken Holland look at Sean Walker like he’s another Brian Rafalski?
  • Rafalski? Who? He played four seasons in Detroit from 2007 to 2011 and scored 204pts for them. Prior to that he played for New Jersey and won two Cups with them.
  • He was 34 years old when he joined the Red Wings. As a 37 year old he had 48pts in 64 games and he was only 5’10” and 185lbs.
  • On top of all that, he averaged well over 20 minutes a night and won another championship in ’08.
  • Rafalski was a very clever player, an excellent skater, outstanding distributor, and his IQ was off the charts.
  • Is Sean Walker all of that? Could he be? Nobody’s talking about it and I think they should be.
Oilers Keeping Top Prospects
David Perron: Buyer Beware?

“There’s no question that Perron will be sought after by the trade deadline if the Red Wings fall out of the playoff race, as he has a unique skill set and plenty of experience. But for what the Oilers need right now, which is actual scoring from the bottom six, I don’t think he would be a good fit. His performance numbers have fallen off as he’s no longer the play driver he once was. And his ability to finish chances just hasn’t been there this season.”

  • He’s hit a wall this season, and is performing and producing well below his career levels.
  • This season, he’s put up 11 points in 45 games — a rate of only 1.28. That’s significantly lower than his rate of scoring over his last five seasons, where he’s posted a rate of 1.81 points per hour…
  • His personal shooting percentage currently sits at only 6.5 percent this season. This is well below his career shooting percentage of 11.8 percent and his shooting percentage over the last five seasons of 12.60 percent…
  • His poor production is also due to the fact that the Red Wings often spend more time without the puck and in their own zone whenever Perron is on the ice.
  • With him deployed, the Red Wings have posted a Corsi For percentage of 42.13 percent and an Expected goals for percentage of only 37.45 percent – one of the worst on-ice numbers in the league.
  • So far in Detroit, the team has posted a -7 goal differential with Perron on the ice and +10 goal differential without him.

c/o Oilersnation

  • I still like the gumption that a 35 year old David Perron could bring to the middle six.
  • His numbers are down and that could possibly mean his price to acquire couldn’t be lower.
  • Holland and Yzerman have a history, let’s not forget about that and is this where the Oilers GM cashes in on those “Future Considerations” from the Yamamoto/Kostin deal?
  • The wall that Perron is hitting, is this the same one that Corey Perry hit last year with Tampa but still managed to find a way to get a bidding war going for his services once Chicago released him?
  • You do have to wonder if Detroit is overusing him a bit for his age and that shooting percentage, we’ve seen players bounce back wonderfully in Edmonton from bad bouts of puck luck.
  • What do you think Sprong or Perron?

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: “A Return to Edmonton Could Make Sense From All Sides Here.”

Some big names getting bandied about by the pundits back home as trade targets for the Edmonton Oilers. We’ll start off by touching on those and then we’ll talk about some pie in the sky ideas that’d have the fanbase in Edmonton as hard as a rock if they went down. Lastly, Pierre LeBrun has tossed out a couple of options for the Oilers out in Detroit and I’d like to discuss them.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

More Trade Options with Jason Gregor

“He has two years remaining at $8m. He’s an outstanding puck mover, but he also likes to be on the PP, and the Oilers have a very good power play quarterback.” – Gregor on John Carlson

“The St. Albert product has six years more years remaining on his $6.5m AAV contract… Parayko would be an upgrade, but he also has double the cap hit of Ceci. He’d be another big move, but I’m not sold the Oilers have to go big-name hunting.” – Gregor on Colton Parayko

“He is very similar to Barclay Goodrow in 2020. Many people incorrectly overreacted to Tampa giving up a first for Goodrow, but they knew what they needed. They wanted him to help their bottom six and penalty kill, and he did.” – Gregor on Nic Dowd

“He’d add some much-needed physicality and speed to the Oilers’ fourth line. He can fly, is physical and he’s been a regular on the Wild penalty kill. He doesn’t have great underlying numbers, but also starts far more often in the Dzone (71) than he does in offensive zone (44)… But could the Oilers make a package to acquire Duhaime and Zack Bogosian (depth, veteran D-man)?” – Gregor on Brandon Duhaime

“Malenstyn has only 17 O-zone starts compared to 192 D-zone starts (in 47 games). If you add both, it will lower the time needed for Dowd to build chemistry in Edmonton. Malenstyn is an RFA at the end of the season with an AAV of $762.5K and he leads the Caps in PK/game at 2:45. He’d help at 5×5 but also on the PK.” – Gregor on Beck Malenstyn

  • Carlson is a pipe dream. I don’t even know if he’d agree to go to a Canadian team and he’s 33 years old with an $8M contract. Love the player, but there’s a lot not to like too.
  • Parayko? Yes, please. I think he’d be a great partner for Nurse and in a few seasons that $6.5M/yr deal of his won’t be so painful. Edmonton’s made some big deals with the Blues in the past that involved a few great NHL defensemen…
  • The 1st rounder price tag on Dowd likely has Edmonton out of those sweepstakes.
  • I am intrigued by the names of Duhaime and Malenstyn though. I like big guys with speed who specialize on defensive hockey. You don’t see it enough anymore. Duhaime and Bogosian to the Oilers for the Cup run would be a textbook trade deadline contender move.
  • Could the Oilers move out Connor Brown to fit in a Duhaime or Malenstyn? Would they?
Getting the Old Boys Back Together.

“Jordan Eberle, I believe, is on the Oilers wish list if Seattle falls out [of the playoff picture],” said LeBrun. “There are a bunch of guys that I believe the Oilers have checked in on and kicked tires on; that’s why you’re starting to hear names come out…I think the idea is, [Warren] Foegele has played so well in that role, but the idea is maybe to find someone else for Leon [Draisaitl].” – Pierre LeBrun

“A return to Edmonton could make sense from all sides here.” – Chris Johnston, The Athletic on Jordan Eberle

  • I don’t think Eberle will be an Oiler this season but I really wonder if there’s an appetite to bring him and Taylor Hall back into the fold starting this summer with Eberle and next summer with Hall. They’ll both be mid-30s by then and cheap as borscht. What do you think? It’d be fun, right?
Pierre LeBrun on Oilers’ Possible Trade Deadline Plans

“Daniel Sprong and David Perron (modified no-trade clause) would also be potential forward targets if the Detroit Red Wings fall out of it, although I don’t think Detroit is showing signs of that.”

“The Oilers will try to add on defense, as well, but there are two different ways I think it may go. One, they add a seventh D — a grizzled veteran type for depth. Or two, they swing bigger and get in on a top name like Chris Tanev or Sean Walker.” 

  • Sprong would be a dangerous addition to the bottom-six in terms of increasing the offense from down there, but is that the kind of player they want on a line Ryan McLeod and Dylan Holloway? He only makes $2M and is a UFA at the end of the year.
  • Or would David Perron and his $4.75M deal make more sense considering he’s got some more sandpaper and compete in his game to go with that touch of offense.
  • The downside to each is that Sprong can disappear for stretches and Perron can take a bad penalty from time to time.
  • Frank Seravalli was lacing into Chris Tanev on Oilers Now! the other day talking about how he doesn’t move well, brings zero offense, and that he’s overrated. I can’t help but agree with his sentiment.

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