Blue Targets

The Edmonton Oilers have started finding ways to win. The Oilers blew out the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-0 on home ice last night for their second straight win, but the team still has holes on its roster, mainly in the defensive area. How will Edmonton fix those holes, heck, will they fix those holes? They are certainly looking, and it appears we have some names that they are looking at.

The fourth period is one of the best hockey magazines and websites around, bringing good in-depth coverage and rumors from around the league from very good sources. If TFP reports something, there is usually something behind that report. The Edmonton Oilers have been cropping up in a lot of their rumors lately, as well as rumors from others around the twitter world.

Craig MacTavish, like he said late last week, is looking to add to his blue-line, and from everything we are hearing he wasn’t lying to us. He’s working the phones and trying to get a number of guys. Just who are these rumored blue-liners? Let’s have a look…

Nikita Nikitin (Columbus): The Blue Jackets blue-liner was brought to Columbus by Scott Howson, who is now working in the Oilers front office. Nikitin can handle 20 minutes a night, something he did regularly last season, and has a big frame. He’s got a cannon for a shot, and is mainly known as a physical defender who plays a solid stay-at-home game. Think of him as Ladislav Smid with a little more upside.

Elliotte Friedman of CBC reported Saturday night that Edmonton and Columbus talked about the player, but the talks didn’t go too far. TFP reported the same, but there seems to be a sense that the two sides could hook up for talks again later. The cost would probably be Oiler forward Ales Hemsky.

Michael Del Zotto (New York Rangers): TFP reports today that Del Zotto very well could be used as trade bait by the Rangers in an effort to add a forward to the roster, and the report even goes as far as saying the Rangers are shopping the young defender, who will be a RFA at season’s end.

Del Zotto is basically a more seasoned Justin Schultz with a little less offensive flash. He’s got solid offensive instincts and certainly will put up his share of points, but there are legit concerns about his defensive game. He’s good enough to play a top-four role and play 20 minutes a night, but he’s certainly a guy that promises to be a roller-coaster defensively.

Del Zotto and the Rangers have had a contract squabble before, and another one looks certain this summer. The Rangers moving him now appears to be the route Sather will go, and I think Ales Hemsky would get it done. Edmonton would have to retain some salary as well.

Dmitry Kulikov (Florida Panthers): Florida is in a world of hurt right now, and has had a huge fall from grace since their division championship two seasons ago. Young defender Dmitry Kulikov is in a contract year, and while he has been a great player for Florida, the Panthers are reportedly open to moving him.

Kulikov, according to TFP, is up for grabs and the Panthers are fielding calls on him from other teams. Among those interested, and among those who have placed a call, are the Edmonton Oilers. This would be a perfect get for Edmonton, one that would upgrade the blue-line and fit the “process” age wise.

Kulikov is a young defender with his whole career ahead of him, and who has yet to hit his prime. He’s not an overly big guy, but he’s an overall smart hockey player who brings good all-around play to the table. He’s got good offensive instincts and isn’t a liability defensively. He’s a guy more than capable of 20 minutes a night too, and would arguably be Edmonton’s top guy off the bat.

The price? I’m thinking it would cost Edmonton their first round pick in 2014 and a prospect, like Marincin, for Kulikov and another piece. It would make sense from both sides.

Soooooo…..

Craig MacTavish is a man of his word. He said he wanted to improve the blue-line, and the rumors are flying that he is trying. Bob McKenzie mentioned on TSN radio in Toronto last week that nothing is imminent at this time, but that MacT has been working the phones and working them hard.

Bob is right, I doubt something is imminent, but MacT is trying and putting in the ground work for deals. Something might not happen right away, but I’ll be surprised if something doesn’t happen in the next few months. They say when there’s smoke….well you know.