OK… If you follow me on Twitter or read last night’s Halak rumor blog, do you remember how I told you about the 3-team trade rumor that seemingly gets tossed around every year involving the Oilers? I think Darren Dreger just gave this year’s proposal some legs…
Interested to see if Garth Snow goes big game hunting. Oilers say Eberle isn't moving. Duchene is a good fit for Isles…1/2
Last night I wrote a post detailing a Halak to the Oilers rumor and near the end, I included a little tidbit about a 3-team trade that I’d been passed. Well, I was prepared to wait a little bit to get this published and I did go out and ask a few more people who I believe to be in the know about this rumor to more or less get the amount of confirmation I needed to go forth with this post. I said on Twitter this morning that this rumored deal is ridiculous, like blockbuster ridiculous and probably something closer to an HF Boards trade proposal than a real one but Darren Dreger has weighed in now and that gives it real legitimacy…
These are the hazy details:
To Colorado: Travis Hamonic, Brock Nelson, *Brandon Davidson*, Oilers 1st round pick
To Oilers: Tyson Barrie, Jarome Iginla, Ryan Strome
To Islanders: Matt Duchene, Jordan Eberle
WHAT?!!
It sort of contradicts the Halak to Edmonton rumor that I wrote about last night but that is an insane rumor, right?
Now, I put an asterisk beside Davidson’s name because he was one of the iffy players my sources weren’t sure on. But the main players (Barrie, Duchene, Eberle, Hamonic) were in it for sure.
I know that Colorado is working like crazy to move Iginla and it’s becoming more apparent that Matt Duchene might be going the same way that Taylor Hall did in his last season with the Oilers. A good player whose attitude is souring on a struggling franchise who’s wasting his talents.
Any trade rumor I’ve been passed or come across on Twitter re: Jordan Eberle to the Islanders has included Ryan Strome coming back. I couldn’t confirm the draft pick, anytime in the past when I’ve asked about Chiarelli’s willingness to deal that pick I was told that if the deal was right, he would.
For the Islanders, this would be a very big statement made to John Tavares that the franchise is ready to move Heaven and Earth to get him to stay in Brooklyn. I believe the team values Ryan Pulock more than Travis Hamonic and after this season, can you blame them? Hamonic has been a disaster.
For Colorado, this would be the kind of deal that would start the reset. I believe that they need a top-pairing left-handed dman more than a right-handed one but that could be a player they acquired with Gabriel Landeskog, no? Cue, the Krug to Colorado rumours.
For the Oilers, there’s your top-4 offensive right-handed defenseman, your right-handed PP shot, and a young player with term left on his deal who can switch in and out from the centre position to the right-wing position. All that’d be left is the backup goalie and the shopping list would be complete.
But getting back to the mad deal that could be in the works above, I think there would need to be some wiggling around to do to make it work dollar-wise (mostly for the Islanders) but yeah, there you go.
I honestly cannot see a trade like this going down now. These kinds of trade fall apart so easily because there are so many moving parts but it could set something else up that could be consummated before the trade deadline passes or another deal at the draft where money is less of a problem.
If this mega-deal does actually happen, I’ll have a more detailed post to follow.
**Disclaimer** Lastly, during this crazy time of the year, we’re bound to hear a shit ton of rumors coming from every nook and cranny out there. I’m not connected to the Oilers, I hear what I hear from people who know people and I pass that on to you. Rarely, IF EVER, do the things I post here come true but the batting average of an insider has never been that good anyhow. It’s all speculation until the teams make things official folks! So I hope you can enjoy what you read here but don’t take it too seriously. I don’t. **Disclaimer**
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I just wanted to share a bit of good news with you before getting into today’s post but a little background first.
When I started this blog way back in 2012 over on Weebly, my goal was to hit the first page of google without having “Edmonton” or “Oilers” in the URL because I figured that it’d be that much more challenging.Now I’m no SEO expert, I may have read a few blogs on the topic but if I’m not mistaken, one would like all the advantages he/she can get when it comes to making it easier for people to find your website, right?
Next, I wanted to step up the site’s coverage back in 2015 and take it to the next level, so I picked up the domain and registered www.beerleagueheroes.com with the idea that maybe, just maybe, it’d help the site reach the first page.
Well after 5 years of existence and 2 years as a dot com…
BEER LEAGUE HEROES HIT THE FIRST PAGE OF GOOGLE UNDER “EDMONTON OILERS BLOGS”!!!
So I’m pretty stoked about hitting Google page one as I can honestly say I did almost the bare minimum to get it there. That being said, you are the ones that made the most impact. You chose to read our content! And we thank you so much for that. I hope we’re still up there when you get around to reading this.
Trade me right f*cking now! Happy 40th Birthday to the Greatest Hockey Movie of All-Time!!!
Trades Completed and Otherwise
Patrick Eaves going to the Ducks for a conditional 2nd rounder is interesting. It turns into a first rounder if the Ducks make it to the Western Conference Finals AND if Eaves plays 50% of the games in the rounds previous. So even if the Ducks do make it to the conference finals, that 1st rounder will be akin to a 2nd rounder anyhow.
I would’ve liked to have seen Eaves on the Oilers previously but I have to question if he’d be surplus to requirement on the Oilers now that Pakarinen is healthy, Slepyshev, when he’s in the lineup, is looking dangerous and he’s not shying away from the dirty areas. Leon Draisaitl is racking up the points again and Jordan Eberle appeared to have some real jump in his game vs. Washington. And Lastly, I’m loving Zack Kassian more and more each time I watch him.
How much would Eaves have really helped? And don’t forget, Puljujarvi is lighting up the AHL right now. So he’s there to call up if need be.
Tomas Jurco for a 3rd rounder
I asked my source if the Oilers had any interest in this guy as a depth scorer with speed and a good possession game. I was told the Oilers had ZERO interest.
Source Says…
PC is talking to STL about Shattenkirk. He’s open to coming to Edm. He sees what’s happening in Edm with McDavid, Draisaitl, and Co.
So this is an interesting twist. If you’ve been following any NHL media whatsoever in the last 48 hours, you’ve probably read or heard all the talk about Shattenkirk turning down deals to go to other teams, Edmonton included. But what I was told was that as far as an extension goes, the Oilers would have to win a couple of playoff rounds to convince Kevin Shattenkirk to re-sign in Edmonton. Otherwise, the Oilers aren’t willing to go any higher than what the market is currently dictating for rental defensemen. Michael Stone went for a third and Hainsey went for a 2nd rounder plus a career AHLer, so read between the lines there.
I got a bit of flack on Twitter for asking why a team would pay more than a 3rd rounder for a player that isn’t interested in re-signing with their club. I understand that Shattenkirk is a MUCH better player than Michael Stone and Ron Hainsey but would you give up a 1st or a 2nd round pick for a rental? Providing he’s gone on July 1st?
I know a few GMs (Bergevin/Rutherford) who might but the Oilers GM won’t be unless Shattenkirk agrees to re-sign in Edmonton. And if that happens, we should be able to put the Kris Russell 2017 contract debate to bed.
Speaking of Russell, the Oilers have broken off talks with his camp. I guess he’s still angling for a 4 year deal with $4M per year. Surprisingly price isn’t the problem, term is.
Derek Ryan should be an Oiler soon. They’ve been scouting him something fierce lately.
The Oilers are trying their damnedest to move Pouliot and Fayne but doesn’t sound like anything is going to happen on that front.
No on Hanzal and Vrbata and Iginla.
Edmonton wants a sniper and would prefer a bit more speed and size up front. But none of those players are fleet of foot and their price tag is too high.
Dallas is strapped to the cap and looking to move some bodies. The names that came up were Sharp, Eaves (already spoken for), and John Klingberg…
I can see Sharp and the Oilers being a potential fit but John Klingberg?!! Why in the world would Jim Nill be open to moving him? If I were the Oilers, I’d have a separate phone special for Jim Nill and I’d be calling him constantly to see what the price is. Klingberg has a beauty long-term contract similar to Larsson and Klefbom’s and that would fit in too well with the Oilers future plans.
The Oilers are looking at two players with regards to the backup position. Jaroslav Halak and Ondrej Pavelec. With either of those players, the Islanders/Jets would need to retain salary.
Now, I know which goalie I’d prefer. The one who had a helluva playoff run not too long ago for the Montreal Canadiens. A run so amazing that it had fans of the Habs asking for the team to trade Carey Price away… But alas, we’ve heard from Bob Stauffer that he believes Halak will be bought out at season’s end by the Isles. So, who knows what will happen there. I’m not sold on Pavelec one bit…
Personally, I’m guessing the Oilers go out and grab a right-shooting face-off man for sure. I think if they can’t get the right deal for a backup, they’ll wing it and go with Brossoit or if disaster hits, Nick Ellis. I’m with Chiarelli in that the Oilers are right on the precipice of becoming a great team with excellent depth at the minor league level and the prospect level and there’s no real reason to bet the farm this season. Next season mind you, that will be a different story.
That’s it for now. I’ll update you later on if something comes in! And thanks again for helping us to page 1 on Google! Check out our T-shirt shop! There’s a sale going on right now where you can get some pretty sweet tees for you or your kids or maybe someone else or their kids… Click the pic below and it’ll take you to our shop! You’re a beauty!!!
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The Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of making the playoffs and going into this year’s trade deadline they need to make a choice I believe.
Will they load up for a Stanley Cup finals run?
Will they stay the course and simply add pieces to secure that playoff bid.
I think every fan would love for Chiarelli to say ‘F*ck it!’ and go for the Cup but if you have forgotten, that’s sort of how we got here, no? Lowe and co. also took that same sentiment into the draft and thankfully because of those attitudes, we’re sitting pretty with Connor McDavid.
Personally, I believe the team should tinker with the roster not swing for the homerun at this year’s trade deadline.
My concerns with the team now are:
Backup goaltending
Scoring from the bottom six
The right-handed bomb from the point
A face-off specialist for the 3rd line
The lack of playoff experienced veterans
Who might the Oilers’ assets for trade be?
Benoit Pouliot – Let’s hope his strong play continues 🙂
Jordan Eberle – Can’t see him being dealt mid-season but you never know.
Brandon Davidson – The potential is there and rival GMs know this. Davy might bring back a key piece since he’s unlikely to be protected in the expansion draft.
Oscar Klefbom – If Chiarelli is really looking to expedite this rebuild, he could very well use the big Swede. I wouldn’t recommend it but it’s an option nevertheless.
The Oilers 1st round pick this year – Edmonton will do what it takes to improve and if a 1st rounder is part of that price, then so be it. The Oilers will be looking to recoup a 2nd rounder at some point anyhow.
Any one of David Musil, Jordan Oesterle, Griffin Reinhart, Joey Laleggia, Anton Slepyshev, Laurent Brossoit, or Dillon Simpson – It’s time to cash in on some of these prospects as it looks like their futures as Edmonton Oilers are in jeopardy. Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Zayat Paigin, William Lagesson, etc. are coming in and they’ll need spots.
Let’s address the concerns one-by-one.
SUPPORT FOR TALBOT
I have heard that the Oilers aren’t pleased with Laurent Brossoit’s development and are exploring all options heading into the final half of the year. I don’t blame the Oilers for wanting to find a goalie that they feel they can trust and there are quite a few out there I’d give the job to before Brossoit.
For me, this could be a very undervalued acquisition (remember Roloson in ’05?) and I wouldn’t be against the Oilers adding an expensive goalie here but the caveat being that the player they do pick up would need to have extensive playoff experience and a positive one would be nice but not a requisite.
Ryan Miller (36 years old, $6M – UFA) – Is Miller that bad a keeper? I mean he’s been playing for the Canucks and that defense is questionable. As a backup for Talbot, I’d feel very safe knowing if anything goes wrong, Ryan Miller is there to come in.
His career playoff record is 56GP 28W 27L, .915SV%, 2.49 GAA.
Brian Elliott (31 years old, $2.5M – UFA) – I know he plays for the Flames but it’s not like he’s lighting up the league down there and he’s had extensive post-season experience during his time with the St.Louis Blues. I like this.
Career playoff stats: 37GP 15W 19L, .911 SV%, 2.49 GAA
Michal Neuvirth (28 years old, $1.625M – UFA) – The Flyers have a couple of goalies that will be UFA this summer but I’m not sure I trust Mason not to shit the bed at any given moment. Neuvirth, on the other hand has been a trusty backup for some time now. He doesn’t have tons of playoff TOI though
Career playoff stats: 13GP 6W 6L, .933 SV%, 1.93 GAA
There are a few others like Reto Berra, Jonathan Bernier (4-1-0, 933, 2.01GAA this season!), Ondrej Pavalec, and Anders Nilsson but I dig the fellas above. You?
AFTER EBS AND DRAISAITL, CAN WE TRUST THE KIDS?
So that right wing thing is still… A thing. I have a feeling that we’re going to witness a Jordan Eberle scoring explosion soon. The chances that he is getting are coming by the handful now and the timing couldn’t be better. That being said, Jesse and his Ripper (Full House references anyone?) are tearing up the AHL right now and I really want to believe that if the Oilers called him up after the trade deadline, that he’d do the same in the NHL but I don’t know that. Anton Slepyshev is still another question mark for me. I love how the Russian plays but when will it translate to consistent production on the stat sheet?
There is a perfectly good reason for Peter Chiarelli to go out and acquire a Radim Vrbata or a Jarome Iginla next month and that reason is the fear of Eberle/Draisaitl going cold again. The other thing is, in a playoff run or Stanley Cup run, you generally want to put your chances in the hands of the most capable players and usually, those players are a tad older or more high-end.
I’d love for the Oilers to go out and pick up the 2nd leading scorer in NHL history, Jaromir Jagr, because as a third line player that would allow the Oilers to move Zack Kassian to the 4th line where there’s not a lot that he can do to hurt the team.
Jagr isn’t a fast player by any means but he might be one of the smartest and Chiarelli had him for a run in Boston back in 2012/13. Of course, that fact and the Panthers making the playoffs could work against the Oilers trading for the legendary Czech.
Other names I’ve heard through the rumourvine: Brian Gionta and Alexandre Burrows. Not a lot of scoring there but would provide elements of their own in bottom 6 roles.
BOMBS AWAY!
There still seems to be interest from the Oilers in trading for a right-handed player that can add that cannon from the point or the left wall to their power play. I’m 50/50 on the idea I think. The PP is running pretty well (11th in the NHL at 20.4%) and picking up a defenseman or RW with a specific skill set is a daunting and risky task.
Dennis Wideman (CGY) has been in the rumours all year long. The Islanders’ young defender, Ryan Pulock, has emerged as a possible trade candidate but I’d like to see the Oilers going into the playoffs with an older crew, not a younger one.
This is possibly an area where Radim Vrbata and Jarome Iginla draw in again.
I’ll throw out some power play long shots (pun intended) for you though:
Colton Parayko/Kevin Shattenkirk (D) – St.Louis – Not the same Parayko we saw last year and the Blues are struggling a bit and apparently Bob McKenzie has said, in so many words, that Shattenkirk’s tune might have changed since last season and Edmonton could be back in the picture.
Sami Vatanen/Shea Theodore (D) – Anaheim – The highly-rated Theodore has seemingly fallen down the depth charts since Carlyle took over again. How will the expansion draft protection list affect the Ducks? And do they still want Benoit Pouliot?
Torey Krug/Zdeno Chara (D) – Boston – The Bruins are on shaky grounds, would they move either of these players to shore up the offense? Probably not if they’re close to a playoff spot eh? That being said, Chara’s salary drops to $4M next season…
Patrick Eaves (RW) – Dallas – What is happening to the Stars?
Ryan Strome (RW/C) – New York Islanders – More like, what is happening to the Isles?
Brandon Pirri (RW) – New York Rangers – This guy shoots, plain and simple. I can’t speak to his defensive game but if you want a shooter, you pick this guy up. Maybe the Rangers would have interest in Mark Fayne.
DRAWING FROM EXPERIENCE
Having a centre who can be counted on to win an important draw is of the utmost value in the drive to the playoffs and the Oilers have one guy in Mark Letestu they can count on (sort of). One. Maybe Leon Draisaitl could be another but we’re not 100% sure as to how he’ll perform when the team NEEDS that faceoff win.
Colorado’s John Mitchell should be available and he has a respectable win percentage on the draw at 55.55%. He’s got 1 goal and no assists this season, so one would think that his price would be of the minimal variety.
Bob Stauffer likes to pump Derek Ryan’s tires every chance he can get and the small pivot for the ‘Canes is having a pretty decent season (31gp 8g 10a) whilst winning 55.2% of his face-offs in 280 attempts. Now, Ryan isn’t exactly a full-time centre like Patrice Bergeron but he it looks like he can win a face-off now and then.
Hail Mary: Sean Couturier. If the Flyers fall out of the playoff race, do you think they’d be willing to move him? I think they’d be ridiculous to even consider doing it but one has to wonder if Travis Konecny would be a more financially astute player to take on 3rd line duties in Philly until his rookie contract is up?
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OLD GUYS
This one is pretty simple. I’ve already named Radim Vrbata and Jarome Iginla earlier as grizzled veterans that would fill some serious holes and roles on this Oilers team but how about Shane Doan? Would he like to come home or would he be more inclined to shack up with his cousin in Montreal (Some guy named Price)?
The stats community is always singing PA Parenteau’s praises and it doesn’t look like the Devils will be making post-season plans this year. Is this a player that would help the Oilers down the stretch?
Another fella from the East, Mark Streit, has always been intriguing to me. He provides a nice puck moving option for the Oilers and he’s a UFA ($5.25M this year) at season’s end. He’s a leftie IIRC though and the Oilers have a shat ton of those.
I don’t know, I’m just thinking of the Oilers have an older roster going into the playoffs (hopefully), I’d feel more comfortable going up against a team like San Jose in the 1st round.
So what if the Oilers looked like this after the trade deadline?
Basically sacrificing Klefbom, Davidson, Eberle, and Pouliot plus prospects and draft picks for some immediate help and taking on some extra salary as tax.
All of the players acquired here would surely be available for nothing more than marginal prospects and later round draft picks, no? Perhaps an offloading of Mark Fayne?
I’m just spitballing here folks. Probably a lot of wishful thinking, actually, definitely a lot of wishful thinking because it’s impossible to know who will and who won’t make the playoffs right now. The standings are pretty competitive this year and a 5 game losing streak could ruin any team’s chances at the post-season.
Thanks for sticking around this far! Enjoy your day! – BLH
**stats taken from NHL.com and Capfriendly.com**
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Love the ref there… “What should we do? Do we stop it?”
Bob Stauffer brought it up during yesterday’s episode of Oilers Now! and David Staples dedicated a morning article to it. Jarome Iginla potentially being acquired by the Edmonton Oilers.
Stauffer said this yesterday:
Would I have time for Jarome Iginla? Sure. The Avs would have to take some money back, make sure. They’d have to take some short term money back. Why wouldn’t you have time for Jarome Iginla? How do you not respect Jarome Iginla. People say, Ah, he’s done, he’s finished. Never write off players like that. For a short timeframe guys like that can pull it together and they can bring it. If he were to waive (his no-trade), he’s a right wing, he’s a competitive player, he’s not the fastest guy, but he can still shoot the puck. He can one-time the puck…Hard not to like Jarome Iginla. If the opportunity presented itself, I think you’d have to look at it. (source)
Now when Stauffer starts naming names on his radio show, he’s letting you know that the Oilers are looking for a player along the same lines as the one named. So in this case (Iginla), the Oilers are looking for a right-handed shooter who can score. We were hoping that was going to be Jesse Puljujarvi but he hasn’t found his stride yet (nor is he getting the chance to show what he can do with that shot on the Oilers’ PP). And we got rid of Yakupov because he wasn’t pissing a drop for the Oilers (about the same as he’s doing in St.Louis right now).
David Staples said this in his post earlier:
As for whether it’s wise to pick up the 39-year-old Iginla in a deal, well, the price should be low. He’s only got three goals and seven points in 27 games this year. He’s shooting just 5.8 per cent, so his goal total is a bit light, but he’s no Jarome Iginla anymore, if you know what I mean. On a playoff team, I suspect he’ll be a third-liner at best, a Grumpy Old Man type, playing hard, gritty two-way hockey in the pressure games. But I only suspect this as I haven’t watched Iginla closely enough this year to have an informed take on him.
As for the need on the Oilers, Iginla is a right shot and a big, tough winger. Right now Edmonton has Jordan Eberle, Jesse Puljujarvi, Zack Kassian, Anton Slepyshev and Tyler Pitlick on the right side. All these players have so impressed coach Todd McLellan that on the top power play unit he’s now using Mark Letestu, a career fourth-line center, on the left half-wall. So one can see McLellan might well want a better shooter there. I’m not sure Iginla is that player, and I’m more than a wee bit upset that Jesse Puljujarvi hasn’t been given an extended shot in that prime spot, given Puljujarvi’s obvious shooting and passing skills. (source)
Iginla is in a tough spot as Colorado is blowing chunks this year. I definitely can see Iginla being traded but I’m not so sure Edmonton is the kind of team he’d prefer to go to right now. The Oilers aren’t exactly Cup favorites right now. That being said, Iginla still has a fire that burns as bright as it ever has and he still wants his name on the Cup.
“I’d still like to win (closest he got was game 7 in 2004 when he was in Calgary and lost to Tampa Bay). I won’t lose hope in that. Hopefully we can be in the playoffs but I understand how it works at the deadline if we’re not (going well). I’ll cross that bridge when it comes,” – Iginla from an interview w/Jim Matheson 11/23/2016 (source)
Our boy Eric Friesen (@EricJFriesen) even dedicated a whole post to a Yakupov for Iginla trade way back in May! Too bad that didn’t go down eh?
Stauffer mentioned the Avs would have to take some money back, perhaps a player with short-term left on their deal and Staples preferred a cheap return for Iginla. So what about Mark Fayne and a sweetener for Iginla?
From what I’m gathering, it sounds like folks are concerned about that lack of a right-handed defensemen to quarterback the power play and you know what? I’m not concerned about that anymore.
The Oilers have the 6th best power play in the NHL. Yes, you read that correctly. SIXTH!! And that is without the precious rightie QB… So why is it again that they NEED that dman? The PK is also sitting pretty at the seven spot. When’s the last time the Oilers were in the top ten in both categories for special teams? #FireWoodcroft
I mean in Staples article he does talk about the usage of Mark Letestu on the PP and yes, Letestu is a 4th line centre who is getting time with the man advantage. A rare beauty he is. But talk to Reid Wilkins and he’ll tell you all about Letestu’s offensive acumen. IIRC, Wilkins covered Letestu’s Bonneyville Pontiacs (AJHL) whilst Letestu was burning (105pts in 58 games in ’05) up the AJHL. And talk to head coach Todd McLellan, who loves Letestu for his brains on and off the ice.
Veterans have value be it tangible or intangible. Lanny McDonald, Ray Bourque, etc. were all legends who constantly found a way to get it done late in their careers. Now, Letestu isn’t and won’t be remembered as an NHL legend but you get the gist of my point. Iginla, on the otherhand, will be remembered as a legend.
I dont think it makes much sense for EDM to burn assets on rentals this year. That said, 13 PPG last season and RH shot. https://t.co/aoSt1KQhML
Now, I’m not sure I agree with having Letestu where he is on the power play, especially when you could have Puljujarvi setting up shop there but as we’ve found out, it’s a fickle spot and an intelligent player like Letestu seems to fit the bill whereas a Jordan Eberle just can’t seem to get it going. That’s all fine by me but I do worry about burning Letestu out. Maybe a guy like Iginla could be the one to give Letestu a break?
I’d like the Oilers to trade for Jarome Iginla because I see him in the same light as a Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, or John Leclair when the Penguins brought those players in for a very young Sidney Crosby. Plus I think that that 5.8% shooting percentage would spike like mad if he was playing next to one of McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, or Draisaitl.
As for the Oilers defense. I think that is an article for another time. In my opinion, it’s still too young.
What do you think about Jarome Iginla being an Oiler? Let us know in the comments below!
I think it’s safe to say Nail Yakupov is on his way out of Edmonton. As for where he might headed, your guess is as good as mine. But while I was listening to TSN 1260 in Edmonton this morning, host Will Fraser brought up an interesting trade proposal; send Yakupov to the Colorado Avlanche for local boy and future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.
At age 38, 39 by the start of next season, Iginla is near the end of the NHL career, but proved last season that he’s still a productive scorer. The two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner tallied 22 goals and 47 points in 82 games with the Avs in 2015-16. Now imagine his powerful wrist shot, a shot that hurt the Oilers in the Battle of Alberta for more than 15 years, on our side.
Iginla would be the perfect short-term linemate for Connor McDavid. Not only would he be able to finish on a lot of sweet feeds McDavid would be dishing to him, especially on the powerplay, but Iginla would also be able him plenty of guidance in captaining an NHL team. Also, can you imagine the reaction Calgary Flames fans would have to seeing Iginla, arguably the greatest Flame of all-time, clad in orange and blue? It would be like seeing Wayne Gretzky or Ryan Smyth in Flames silks. Hard to stomach. And while I admit it would be slightly entertaining to see Flames fans freak out on twitter, I’m more concerned with seeing the Oilers take a significant step forward next season than pouring salt into Flames fans wounds.
The Avalanche, who have a self-imposed cap, could be interested in getting Iginla’s $5.33 million cap hit off the books and brining in Yakupov at $2.5 million a season. Even though his best years are long behind him, Iginla is still a better player right now than Yakupov. Oilers’ GM Peter Chairelli won’t waste his time trying to convince Avalanche GM Joe Sakic otherwise, he knows that, too. Yakupov has yet to put up 40 points in any of his four NHL seasons. However, the Avs might think they can get Yakupov’s career back on track by giving him a shot in the top six with their core of young stars, which is an opportunity that he was clearly not going to get in Edmonton.
Of course, this is all speculation, but I don’t think anyone in Oil Country would have a problem with Iginla coming in for a year to help this team make a playoff push and finish his career with the team he grew up cheering for.
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