Tag Archives: NHL Trade Rumors

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Guentzel/Oilers Destiny in Kyle Dubas’ Hands Right Now

Elliotte Friedman dropped a bit of a bombshell on those Edmonton Oilers fans who want Jake Guentzel on the team. We’re going to talk about that as well as four NEW names for the rumor mill for Edmonton and the other thing I want to point out about the fact that some believe the Oilers are handcuffed trade-wise this year. I don’t believe that to be true and I’ll tell you why.

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

New Names from the Oilers MSM
  • Patrick Kane ($2.75M, UFA 2024) – “This is someone the Oilers have had interest in in the past. All Kane has done is produce for Detroit, which makes him a suitable top-six candidate.”
  • Pierre-Edouard Bellemare ($750k, UFA 2024) – “He’s also a two-time Stanley Cup finalist and is posting elite underlying numbers with Seattle… The price is certainly right, and Holland has picked up cheap forwards at each of the last two deadlines”
  • Lars Eller ($2.45M, UFA 2025) – “All Eller has done for years is put up sound underlying numbers in a supportive role. He’s doing it again in Pittsburgh with a team that’ll be hard-pressed to make the playoffs.”
  • Dennis Gilbert – “Perhaps he’s a throw-in if the Oilers acquire Tanev.”
  • Mike Reilly ($1M, UFA 2024) – “You could do a lot worse that picking up someone closing in on 400 games of NHL experience to fill out your roster.” – The Athletic
  • Nice to see DNB joining the 2xKane party. If Kane is willing and the Red Wings fall out of the playoff race, he should be priority #1 for the Oilers top-6 RW spot.
  • It’s hard to argue against Bellemare at 4C for Edmonton’s run to the Cup this year. Lots of experience and his fancies tell me that he’s the kind of player you’d want on the ice when the game is tight and you’re up by a goal or even in a tie game attempting to get the match to an extra frame.
  • Another thing with Bellemare is that he’s under no illusions with regards to his role on the team and the Oilers could use more of that. A 4th line of Ryan, Gagner, and Holloway is too small and what’s the identity there?
  • Lars Ellers’ contract is too high for the role he’d play if acquired by Edmonton.
  • Who the hell is Dennis Gilbert?
  • Mike Reilly is a guy I swear the Oilers had interest in way back in the Chiarelli days. Funny enough, there are scouts on the team that remain from the Chia regime. So maybe there’s something to this but I don’t know if Lou Lamoriello will be interested in trading him.
  • What about Tommy Novak in Nashville? 800k center who can bring some offense.
Are the Oilers Handcuffed

“I believe the Oilers can’t afford any player making more than $4.5 million, without having to clear out more than one roster player. At that point, Holland risks upsetting his excellent chemistry and compromising what little depth Edmonton has.”

“They’ll be in the mix for a forward like, say, Scott Laughton, and also a premier defenceman like Tanev. He doesn’t have the assets or cap space for both.”

“If they can land the forward work, Holland’s secondary acquisition will be a veteran depth defenceman. A Zach Bogosian, Josh Brown type who can push young Philip Broberg to eighth on the Oilers defensive depth chart.” – Mark Spector, Sportsnet

  • I think with some crafty negotiations, the Oilers could bring in a top-six RW, a top-four dman, and a depth LHD and not compromise the team’s chemistry.
  • Keep in mind though, what your definition of a top-six forward or a top-four defender is might not be the same as what the club considers those to be.
  • So if $4.5M is the cutoff, why not spend to get Patrick Kane out of Detroit (if possible), deal Kulak for futures, then use the remaining cap space to bring in Jacob Megna from Chicago, Bellemare from Seattle, and Duhaime or Malenstyn from Washington?
  • There’d still be money left over if I’m correct, they could add another depth option for depth.
  • Now, if they were willing to deal another roster player like Foegele, that opens up even more possibilities. Is Connor Brown the glue that holds this team together? Probably not, so he could be dealt, too.
  • Another scenario might be dealing Kulak and Broberg to San Jose for Mario Ferraro.
  • I just think they need to add defenders who are willing to sacrifice everything and forwards who’ll do anything to get a goal for the playoffs or are so skilled that they put the opposition on pins and needles when they’ve got the puck in the offensive zone, but I don’t agree that Edmonton is handcuffed to the point that they’re only able to make one or two moves.
Is That It Dad? Did the Penguin Tell You to Do It?

“If teams are allowed to try and extend Guentzel before a trade, that hurts Edmonton. They can’t do it. The Oilers are also very aware that for every dollar that comes in, someone needs to go out. So they are doing legwork in several different directions.” – Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet

  • I don’t think the Oilers are in on him. They’d like to be but so many things are working against them right now and going forward. Bouchard’s next deal, Draisaitl’s as well, and then there’s the Connor Brown bonus that’ll eat away at Edmonton’s cap next season. Vinnie Desharnais is going to need to be re-upped. What is Edmonton’s plan with Jack Campbell?

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: LeBrun Says Edmonton Could Have This Former All-Star on the Cheap!

Is this the year all the pieces slot in for the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline. There are former all-star wingers available on the cheap according to PIerre LeBrun and there’s a center down in Anaheim that Oilers media members and former members of the club are pining over. Lastly, the Sharks sell-off is about to begin and Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says the Oilers have their sights set on two of 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

Sale on Russian Tanks

“Pierre LeBrun suggests that Tarasenko would likely waive his no-trade clause for Edmonton, making him an intriguing option. And, because he’s got the leverage to control his fate, it might be more challenging for the Senators to get a top-notch return unless Tarasenko gives his blessing. This could mean Ottawa taking less than the going market rate for wingers of his ability or having to retain salary in the trade, something the Oilers might require.”

“The scribes proposed a trade that involves sending Tarasenko (with 75% salary retained) to Edmonton in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and an additional 2025 fourth-round pick to a third-party broker to facilitate the extra retention. If accurate, this is a price the Oilers should be willing to pay.”- The Hockey Writers

  • Get it done. That sounds perfect and if you’re a frequent reader of the site, you’ll know that I’ve been pushing for the Oilers to acquire Tarasenko.
  • If that’s all it took to get him, Edmonton would be in good shape to make one, if not, two more pretty significant trades to upgrade the team or three/four depth deals to shore the roster up.
  • As we approach the deadline here it’s becoming clearer by the day that this team wants to upgrade it’s scoring depth and aside from Patrick Kane, who’s scoring at a point-per-game in Detroit, and Jake Guentzel, a pure rental, Vladdy Tarasenko is the next best option if you’re looking for somebody who has a history of lighting the lamp in the post-season (64pts in 97gp) and has a shite tone of playoff experience to go along with a Championship ring.
  • What would an extension look like for him? Three years at $3.5M/yr? Two years at $4M/yr?
  • I don’t think it’d be unpleasant to have Zach Hyman and Tarasenko as your top two RWs, would it?
Deep Down the Middle

“According to Darren Dreger, the Oilers’ ideal scenario involves adding a forward to complement star player Leon Draisaitl in the top six. However, they are also eyeing Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique as a potential addition to fill the third-line center role.” – NHL Trade Talk

  • Earlier in the week Bob Stauffer and former Oilers player/coach/GM Craig MacTavish were having quite the circle jerk over Adam Henrique. So he’s obviously a player that’s getting strong attention from Edmonton.
  • Correct me if I’m wrong though, but aren’t the Ducks looking for a first rounder? Stauffer has said in the past that he thought the price tag on Henrique would be considerably less than what Monahan cost Winnipeg (a 1st and a cond. 3rd), but here’s the thing, Edmonton’s going to need Anaheim to retain or they’ll have to go searching for a 3rd party to eat some of that deal. Probably something akin to that Tarasenko proposal from LeBrun.
  • I’m very much in favor of Edmonton acquiring a veteran for the 3rd line. Be that Henrique, Colton Sissons, Scott Laughton, Mikael Granlund, or Kevin Hayes. Sometimes the kids need a calming influence when the games get down to the wire. Henrique would probably be pretty perfect there, to be honest.
  • What do you think about Morgan Frost? He seems to be on the outs in Philly. Last year, his first full-time season, he had 46 pts in 81 games.
Shark Hunting

“I’d also throw the Edmonton Oilers in the mix for both players [Mario Ferraro & Luke Kunin], as well. In either Toronto or Edmonton’s case, a contract or two would have to go back San Jose’s way to make the finances work.”- The Fourth Period

  • I LOVE the idea of Edmonton bringing in Mario Ferraro. I said way back in December that he was on Edmonton’s radar. Basically, you need to look at him like an upgrade version of Kris Russel.
  • He might be 5’11”, 185lbs, but he plays BIG minutes for the Sharks, he blocks a ton of shots and he moves the puck. He only makes a shade over $3M, too!
  • He’s 100% an upgrade over Brett Kulak.
  • As for Kunin, he’s very meat and potatoes I find. Not a lot of offense with him though. In the last two seasons combined he’s played 81 games and scored 13 goals. However, he did have a nice year with Minnesota back in 2019/20 where he broke out with 15 goals and 16 assists in 63 games.
  • I think he’s a quick player, aggressive, but from an advanced stats perspective, he is a place where scoring goes to die. Sweet Jesus, his relative fancies are FUGLY.
    • GF%/60rel: -2.72 (third best of his career!…)
    • xGF%/60rel: -5.31 (second best of his career!…)
    • SCF%/60rel: -3.17
    • HDGF%/60rel: -12.56
  • The ‘against’ metrics are even worse… Check them all out here.
  • He’s one of San Jose’s preferred penalty killers, FWIW, but that doesn’t really matter to me, he’s someone I’d probably stay away from.

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Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Friedman says Ex-Calgary Flame Possibly In Line to Become Next Oilers GM

You’ve got a good young defender in your pipeline and he’s a c-hair away from claiming a spot on your roster. His contract is perfect because you need someone making pennies so that you can re-sign your star forwards. You just need to move some bodies around to clear space for him.

So, do you trade him in an effort to make your club stronger on the short-term repeating a mistake your club has made time and time again in seasons passed? Or do you keep him, work with him, and mold him into the defender you envisioned when you drafted him?

Also on today’s menu, during the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman drops two very tasty nuggets of info. One ties directly into the Edmonton Oilers’ trade deadline plans immediately and the other potentially ties into them in future campaigns.

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

This Again…

“The possibility of the Edmonton Oilers trading Philip Broberg is not off the table, but certain conditions must be met, making such a deal less likely than before the deadline. General Manager Ken Holland is open to discussions about parting with the young defenseman, but the deal cannot be centered around a trade deadline rental.” – The Hockey Writers

  • I get that Friedman said that he wouldn’t move Broberg for a rental on Saturday Headlines, but Ken Holland told The Athletic directly when asked about trading the young dman, “No. I don’t see it… It’s hard to find 6-foot-4 young defencemen.”
  • So, unless he’s getting a 6’4″ NHL-ready dman in return, I don’t see him going anywhere. I posted it here way back in mid-January and Bob Stauffer’s reiterated it very recently.
  • Is it a guarantee that Broberg stays? Of course not. You never know who’s going to become available on deadline day. I just personally don’t believe they’re going to move him because there’s a lot of value in this player beyond this season to the club and not only on the ice either.
Shocking Revelation!

“One of the things that is pretty clear about Edmonton is, I don’t think they’re going to add a goalie… I think they’re looking at forwards, I think they’re looking at some D, I think Holland’s going to take a swing, but it doesn’t sounds like they’re doing a lot on goaltending.” – 32 Thoughts Podcast

  • As long as Skinner and Pickard are healthy and providing sound goaltending, the Oilers were never going to panic and waste assets on a goalie.
  • This summer might be a different story, but for now it seems to me that they’re happy with the four internal options on staff (Skinner, Pickard, Campbell, and Rodrigue).
Ex-Flame to Become Next Oilers GM?

“I do think Ken Holland’s future in Edmonton could tie into Mark Hunter’s future.” – 32 Thoughts Podcast

  • Mark Hunter was interviewed twice back in 2019 before the team settled on Ken Holland.
  • If the Oilers are serious about focusing their efforts development-wise on the OHL, then there’s probably no better option that Hunter considering he owns one of that league’s premier clubs.
  • His NHL draft record with the Leafs is not too shabby:
    • 2017 – Tim Liljegren (177gp)
    • 2016 – Auston Matthews (533gp), Egor Korshkov (1gp), Carl Grundstrom (236gp), Joseph Woll (23gp), Adam Brooks (43gp), Keaton Middleton (3gp)
    • 2015 – Mitch Marner (559gp), Travis Dermott (316gp), Dmytro Timashov (45gp)
  • Apparently, there’s word that Jeff Jackson fancies Hunter a bit as well.

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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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