The last night of Edmonton’s bye week saw their GM out of town and taking in another NHL tilt. Peter Chiarelli was listed on the scouting chart for the Minnesota Wild’s home tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While it is normal to see scouts all over the place this time of year, it usually raises some eyebrows when the GM of another team shows up.
The Oilers don’t play Minnesota again this season, but will battle Tampa Bay down in Florida in a little over two weeks. While it is possible Chiarelli was there scouting, I find it very unlikely that he would be handling that role. Personally, I believe Chiarelli was scouting some trade deadline targets.
From Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times:
FWIW, the reps/scouts at #tblightning–#wild. Including Oilers Chiarelli pic.twitter.com/cIe8F1pDPM
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 11, 2017
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I don’t think the Oilers would be talking trade with the Wild. Minnesota is a legit Stanley Cup threat this season and will no doubt be buying. We heard Matt Hendricks’ name connected with them earlier this season, but I’d be stunned if these two teams hooked up between now and the deadline.
Tampa Bay, however, is a different story. The Bolts have been the NHL’s biggest disappointment this season and are destined to miss the postseason. With that reality upon them and a tough summer ahead cap wise, the Bolts will likely be looking to move some pending UFA’s and a higher priced contract or two if possible.
I don’t think goalie Ben Bishop is an option for the club, but there are some players on Tampa’s roster that I think would be of interest to Peter Chiarelli.
Brian Boyle:
We discussed the big center here earlier this week, but I’ll bring him up again just to refresh you. The veteran is a pending UFA and could bring Tampa back an asset. He’s a capable 3C who has ample playoff experience and who could help the Oilers at even strength, on the PP and on the PK. His possession numbers have been strong this season, and he’s over 50% on the dot this year.
Stat page is here.
Tyler Johnson:
This one is highly unlikely, but it has been mentioned that Tampa may be wiling to dangle the pending RFA for some help on defense. While Brandon Davidson isn’t nearly enough, he could be a start to get talks going between the Oilers and the Bolts.
Johnson had a down year in 2015-16 (14-24-38 in 69 games) but he’s bounced back and been solid for Tampa this season, posting 16-17-33 in just 54 contests. Johnson can play center, is a right shot and is young enough (26) to be a factor for years in Edmonton.
I doubt the Oilers can acquire him, but they would be very smart to check it out.
Braydon Coburn:
While also a very unlikely target, Tampa cold be dangling the veteran defender in an attempt to gain some cap space. There has been previous interest from the Oilers with this player, and he fits the Chiarelli/McLellan template quite well.
That said, he has two more seasons with a $3.7 million annual cap hit, and is a left shot defender. Unless Edmonton was also moving out Kris Russell at the deadline (highly unlikely), adding the veteran shut-down defender wouldn’t make sense. As mentioned, Coburn makes this list due to past interest and fit with the GM and coach’s style.
Valtteri Filppula:
The Finnish forward is the last player that makes sense for the Oilers at the deadline. Filppula is a seasoned veteran who can play both center and wing. While he’s a left shot, his versatility makes him an appealing option for the Oilers. Todd McLellan loves players like this.
Filppula, after a down 2015-16 season that saw him post just 31 points in 76 games, has bounced back with 7-25-32 in only 53 games. He’s reemerged as a strong forward option at the NHL level.
Filppula has only one more season left with a $5 million cap hit, so while it isn’t an ideal contract to take on it is not a killer. With McDavid on his ELC for another season, the Oilers could create room by getting creative.
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