Will Zack Kassian be on the Move Shortly and Could Ryan Strome Return to the Oilers?

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!

https://twitter.com/SportsnetSpec/status/1417119340768337922

From Oilersnation

Report: Edmonton Oilers Zack Kassian may be traded when roster freeze is lifted

On the DFO Rundown podcast, Daily Faceoff and The Nation Network’s Frank Seravalli reported other teams are interested in acquiring the rough and tumble forward:

I think there’s been some interest from some teams in Zack Kassian and I think it’s a possibility that he ends up being on the move when the trade freeze is lifted. You don’t expose players that there is interest in. That’s a signal to me they likely will be moving him.

BLH’s Thoughts: As I’ve been saying to the crybabies in the Oilers fanbase bawling over Holland protecting Kassian over Tyler Benson, Kass is worth more to the team as a potential trade asset. Why lose him for nothing when you can get something for him in a trade? Criticize the trade all you want, but don’t think for one second that there’s no good reason for what Holland is doing this summer.

From The Athletic (Daniel Nugent-Bowman)

Oilers set their Kraken protections: Why they chose Zack Kassian and Josh Archibald over Tyler Benson and others

Archibald is considered the coaching staff’s most trusted bottom-six player. He led all forwards in short-handed ice time, sometimes drew the task of moving up the lineup to skate with Connor McDavid because of injury or underperformance and was counted on in five-on-six situations, where he had three goals. Archibald’s $1.5 million cap hit is certainly manageable.
The Oilers don’t have many physically imposing forwards, and Kassian, when on his game, fits the bill. It’s worth noting, too, that the signing of Kassian in January 2020 was one of Ken Holland’s first critical decisions as general manager, and that Keith mentioned Kassian by name, unprompted, in his introductory news conference after being acquired from Chicago.

BLH’s Thoughts: A player that is so counted on defensively for their team that the coach puts him on nearly every time the other club pulls their goalie, is that somebody that should be deemed expendable to you? In a league where defense is so bloody important, why would a team risk losing such a trusted asset for nothing?

From The Daily Goal Horn

Rangers’ Ryan Strome and Barclay Goodrow

According to Andy Strickland, Rangers center Ryan Strome is drawing interest from around the league. He notes that the Ottawa Senators or one of those teams.

Strome is signed for next season and is on the Rangers protected list. It’s very likely that his name came up in discussions leading up to yesterday’s trade freeze. One logical train of thought is the Rangers are indeed heavily involved in the Jack Eichel trade chatter; or have another deal for a center that could be close. This would make Strome expendable.

Also, the Rangers sent a 7th round pick to the Lightning to acquire the early negotiating rights to Barclay Goodrow. He was left unprotected, which means the Kraken can also negotiate with him. Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting the Rangers have engaged Goodrow and progress was made.

BLH’s Thoughts: Remember the part above where Kassian is being protected in order to be traded down the line? Well, what if the trade as Kass for Ryan Strome? I know Bob Stauffer was talking about a Kassian for Georgiev trade last week too and I think there are some rumblings that the Rangers might go for Ryan Reaves too.

Honestly, I can’t see a Kassian for Strome deal, not straight across at least. But, you never know what Chris Drury is thinking right now. I imagine there’s a bit of pressure to bring in some muscle to protect his stars after watching what Tom Wilson did to them this year and knowing the Penguins are going to bulk up with Ron Hextall and Brian Burke running the show now.

From NHLRumors.com

Rick Dhaliwal: The Vancouver Canucks remain in contact with Zach Hyman‘s camp. They aren’t the only team doing so.

Bruce Garrioch: Have been hearing that the Chicago Blackhawks wouldn’t mind trading restricted free agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Chris Johnston: If Barclay Goodrow were to get to free agency there were teams that were willing to offer six years.

BLH’s Thoughts: Could you imagine the uproar within the Oilers fanbase if Edmonton signed Goodrow to a 6yr deal? I’m down for that kind of chaos!

Craig Morgan: Have been told that the Arizona Coyotes and Florida Panthers have discussed an Anton Stralman trade.

Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic: Sources say that Blues GM Doug Armstrong was trying to trade (Vince) Dunn but may not have received more than a third-round pick offer for him.

Jonathan Willis: If the Edmonton Oilers are looking to move back from the No. 19 slot in next week’s draft, the Arizona Coyotes could be a team looking to move up.

The Coyotes forfeited their 11th overall pick but do have three second-round picks – No. 36, 42, and 59.

Would both sides be okay with No. 36 and 42 for No. 19?

BLH’s Thoughts: If I had to guess, I’d say that the Oilers are looking at three players for their first round pick,

Sebastian Cossa (G) – Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL

Fabian Lysell (W) – Lulea, SHL

Brennan Othmann (W) – Flint Firebirds, OHL

I could see Cossa and Lysell going ahead of where Edmonton will be selecting easily which would leave Othmann. Now, if they believe they could trade down and still get their man, then they’ll probably do that and pick up an extra third rounder in the process. I don’t know if they’ll trade right out of the first round with a pick in the top-20.

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