A Fit With Montreal?

We heard Oilers insider Bob Stauffer mention how Montreal could be a landing spot for Ales Hemsky, but that rumor could lead to something bigger. The Canadiens have been following the Oilers AHL team in Oklahoma City the past few nights, revving up the trade speculation.

On Friday night, the OKC Barons took on the Rockford Ice Hogs, who were the opponent again tonight at the Cox Convention center. This isn’t the first time Montreal has been watching the Barons, as they were spotted watching the Barons on February 14th and 15th. Does this even add up?

To a degree, it doesn’t. The Oilers are sellers, so the Habs watching Edmonton’s prospects doesn’t make sense. Why would the Oilers deal away prospects in this spot? The only way it makes sense is if there is a hockey trade in the works, and there very well could be. If Montreal likes Ales Hemsky, maybe Edmonton adds someone like Anton Lander or Mark Arcobello to get a real asset in return.

Minor League Veterans:

The Habs went out and traded for Dale Weise right before the break, and that move was a typical “we aren’t tough enough” move. The Habs were rumored to like Ben Eager in the summer, and maybe they are looking at him. He’s not playing a big role on the Barons however, and their interest might not be there anymore.

Steve MacIntyre barely plays, and no team is going to give assets for him, while the Habs don’t need a guy like Richard Bachman, as they are set in net for the present and future. There doesn’t seem to be a fit in terms of minor league veterans, meaning it’s likely a prospect they are watching.

The Prospects:

Center Anton Lander could very well be moved out of Edmonton. Personally, I’d give Lander a shot as the Oilers fourth line center, but that call hasn’t happened even though he’s torn up the AHL. Lander seems like the perfect fit for Montreal as a fourth line center.

Mark Arcobello could be a fit as well. He’s got decent skills, but apparently is not in the Oilers plans. He couldn’t get playing time even after out-performing Sam Gagner, and was actually sent down to the minors, where has totally dominated. It doesn’t look like he is in the Oilers plans, and he’s the kind of forward that Montreal absolutely loves. Small and skilled.

Defender Taylor Fedun, who fits what Montreal likes to employ on the blue-line, could be an option as well. The Oilers likely have a few defensive prospects ahead of him in their mind, and are heavy in this area. Someone has to move eventually. Fedun has done everything asked of him and won’t get better without NHL experience. Like Arcobello, I’m not sure if he is in the Oilers plans. He would be a very good get for the Habs.

Whats Next?

I’m not sure a trade gets done between the Oilers and Habs, but if it does it won’t be a simple dump off. One gets a feeling that Edmonton could try and parlay Hemsky into more than just a mid-round draft pick, which is the rumored return right now. Could a combo of Hemsky, half his salary and say Taylor Fedun get you an asset from Montreal? I’d have to think it would.

Heck, could Edmonton just dump off one of Anton Lander or Mark Arcobello to grab an extra asset? It’s totally possible, and wouldn’t surprise me. A trade between Edmonton and Montreal is very possible in these last few days before the trade deadline, and the possibilities are endless. We’ll see if anything comes from this. Stay tuned friends!