We’re just hours away from the NHL Trade Deadline and the Edmonton Oilers have already made their two predictable trades. The team sent Teddy Purcell to Florida and Justin Schultz to Pittsburgh for 2016 3rd round picks on Saturday. In addition to that, they also sent Anders Nilsson to St. Louis for a low-level goalie prospect and a 2016 5th round pick. PC also addressed the media, which Kris Hansen touched on for us here.
It’s easy to look at what the Oilers did on Saturday and say that Peter Chiarelli is done for deadline season. He made the predictable moves and has hinted that the big moves will come in summer time. So, let’s pack up shop and talk again at the draft, right? No, not exactly. The Oilers, in the words of their GM, have some things left on the white board.
Chiarelli: not necessarily done, but may use next 48 hours to lay groundwork for future deals. Likes flexibility that comes w/extra picks.
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) February 28, 2016
From Saturday night after Chiarelli met with the media via Jack Michaels. Really, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Like I mentioned above, the obvious deals are done for the Oilers, but the difficult ones are still afoot. Moving a Jordan Eberle or a Nail Yakupov is likely to be difficult right now, but getting a feel for the market for summer time is a fine strategy. The work for 2016-17 starts right now, as it should.
Chiarelli alluded several times to having done some of the preliminary legwork for what could become potential off-season deals. #Oilers
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) February 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis builds off of what Michaels mentioned in his tweet. Peter Chiarelli’s discussions up until 3:00 p.m. (est) today will have a lot to do with the future, probably more so than what he wants to accomplish for this season. Heck, maybe these discussions for the draft even lead to something today.
Chiarelli says they may aquire a defenceman to “Test drive”
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 28, 2016
The Oilers moved out Justin Schultz on Saturday and will need to send down Jordan Oesterle today in order to make him eligible for the postseason roster in the AHL. There is also a possibility, we’ll talk about later, that Darnell Nurse also goes down in a paper transaction. It’s possible that the Oilers, who only have six defenders on the roster at this time, make a play for someone to see if they can fit in.
Ideally, we are talking Travis Hamonic or Sami Vatanen, but odds are we are talking more about a guy like Patrick Wiercioch, whom Ottawa is actively shopping according to reports.
Hearing a name I thought I would have heard a lot more often past few days but have not…. until today. Jordan Eberle this is interesting!
— Brian Lawton (@brianlawton9) February 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis could be an example of what we talked about above, Chiarelli looking to see what Eberle could bring back via trade this summer at the draft. I think the odds of Edmonton moving a major piece like this at the deadline are slim to none, after all they likely would not get full value on the player. Besides, the market in terms of desperate teams and players available will vastly grow in late June. Still, Lawton is highly connected and this is something to watch today.
Let’s not forget about Nail Yakupov. Oilers were busy yesterday moving out Purcell and Schultz. Seems to be developing interest in Yak.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnother interesting point from a very connected insider. I tabbed Yakupov as a draft day deal, but we know that Montreal has been interested in the past and the Habs have had some viewings of the Oil as of late. Yakupov did slide up to replace Benoit Pouliot after his injury last night so I could see Chiarelli holding the player and trying to up his value heading into the off-season.
Considering that ESPN’s Craig Custance views an optimistic return as two second round picks, I’d likely hang onto the player. However, if you can get something like a Lars Eller for him, then I think you make the deal. Odds are slim that Nail goes, but there is a lot of smoke surrounding this player, more than ever before.
Florida wants best projected 2nd or package of 3rd and 4th for Brandon Pirri. Devils, Rangers, Oilers, Ducks in mix, at least 2 offers in
— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 29, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIn terms of additions, this should be of no surprise. Pirri was linked to the Oilers by Elliotte Friedman recently and we discussed the possibility here. Pirri is more of a goal scorer than anything else and he may be a nice trigger man to have with Connor McDavid moving forward. I like this player as a complimentary piece and he could very well replace a guy like Yakupov. I’d certainly package up a 3rd and 4th for this player.
Expect Oesterle, Brossoit, Khaira and maybe even Nurse sent to AHL. Need to be on roster to qualify for AHL playoffs. Will be recalled later
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) February 29, 2016
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Likely to see Oilers claim a player or two on waivers to fill out roster before recalling players back from AHL. #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) February 29, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAll of these players need more development time and the possibility of meaningful games and playoff experience in the AHL has to be appealing for the Oilers to consider. I think Brossoit is ready to make the jump to the NHL, but playing out the stretch in the AHL can only help the player. Oesterle has looked so much better than last year that it’s remarkable and he may have a future, but he too still needs time in the AHL.
Alex Stalock isn’t a sexy option, but he could be claimed off waivers by the Oilers and used as the backup to Talbot the rest of the way. That would allow Brossoit to carry the load for the Condors into the postseason should they make it. Adam Cracknell, Mike Brown and possibly Zac Rinaldo could be options up front.
Rinaldo is unlikely because he still has another year left on his deal and isn’t an upgrade on the last enforcer, Luke Gazdic. I like Cracknell the best out of this group, but there is nothing special here. Adding him off waivers could allow Khaira to develop further in Bakersfield.
Asked league source if he expects “Player X” to be traded from EDM.
Answer: “Every player in Edmonton is available for trade except McDavid”— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis could just be Chiarelli getting the lay of the land, or it could be him showing a willingness to get this roster change under way ASAP. I have my doubts that something big happens today, but this quote is directly from the mouth of a source for a very connected man.
I think the phrase “expect the unexpected” is the best advice I can give for today. This should be fun.
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