As the calender is about to hit February, the NHL’s trading market is about to open up. Thanks to the Olympic break this year, there are basically two trade deadlines. The official deadline in March, and the Olympic roster freeze in early February.
Will the Oilers make any moves before either deadline hits? I think the answer to that is, absolutely. TSN’s Bob McKenzie mentioned on NHL Network last week that he expects some “house keeping” by the Oilers the rest of the way, and that he expects some larger moves to come in the summer.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, as Edmonton has a few things that need to get cleaned up on this roster, and some questions to be answered.
Ales Hemsky:
McKenzie, in his report, mentioned that the Oilers have not yet opened contract talks with Hemsky. and aren’t expected too. He also said that Hemsky will likely be traded by the team, and that report was echoed by The Fourth Period Last week. Hemsky, a UFA in July, has been on the block seemingly every deadline for a few years now, but has yet to move.
TFP reported exactly one week ago that the Maple Leafs, Red Wings and Blue Jackets have shown interest in the forward. Craig MacTavish happened to be spotted in Columbus watching the Jackets last week, adding fuel to the speculative fire.
My Take: It certainly seems to me, sadly, that Hemsky is on his way out. I’d expect Hemsky to be moved closer to the deadline, when teams get desperate and are willing to give up a little more. The three teams mentioned above make a lot of sense, and I’d have to imagine the Red Wings are the top dog to get Hemsky.
As for a possible return, people keep mentioning draft picks in the 2nd/3rd/4th round range. It would be a disappointing return, but could be “fair market” value.
Nick Schultz:
Boston Bruins writer Joe Haggerty, who covers the team for Comcast Sportsnet New England, has written two pieces regarding the possibility of the Bruins targeting veteran defender Nick Schultz, who has been noted on the trade market. Schultz is a UFA on July 1st, and will certainly not be re-signed by the club. He’s an attractive rental option, and almost certainly will be traded.
Haggerty also pointed out that Oilers GM Craig MacTavish and President Kevin Lowe were in Philly on Saturday scouting the Bruins/Flyers match-up, and seems to think something could be brewing between the two sides.
My Take: I think, like Hemsky, it is almost 100% that Schultz gets traded in the very near future. The veteran has struggled in Edmonton, and as mentioned, will not be re-signed. He seems like a good fit with an eastern team, and an even better fit with Boston.
The Bruins like having eight defenders, four on each side, for their playoff roster, and are currently short a veteran on the left-side. The return from Boston? I can’t imagine much more than a 3rd/4th/5th round pick in return for Schultz, that’s easily fair market value.
Sam Gagner:
It’s been about a month since Elliotte Friedman dropped Sam Gagner’s name out there in the rumor mill, and nothing has materialized on that front. That being said, McKenzie mentioned again last week that Gagner is still out there and could very well be moved, while TFP reports he is the most likely “core” player to be shifted out, and teams have shown interest in him.
Friedman mentioned this week that teams are not viewing Gagner as a winger, as they don’t think he can handle the battles on the wall, and full on beleive he is a center. Still, no team have been linked through the media to this point.
My Take: Gagner has put together a few good games in a row here, but I still don’t see him fitting in with this team long term. They simply need to change the mix, and he is by far the easiest, and probably most deserving, guy to move. I could see the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs being involved here.
As for return, Darren Dreger mentioned a few weeks back that he believes the Oilers are looking for a top six winger or a top four defender for Gagner. That probably eliminates the Blackhawks as a suitor. I could see Jake Gardiner and Tyler Myers being the Oilers targets from the other two, possibly even Christian Ehrhoff.
Other Small Rumor Notes:
Ryan Smyth’s name has been out there recently according to reports from TSN. Smyth says he has had no talks regarding a trade with MacT, and would like to finish his career in Edmonton. The Canucks, Bruins, Coyotes and Blackhawks have shown interest according to TFP, and we talked about that here last week: http://www.theoilersrig.com/2014/01/long-smyth-part-two/
Anton Belov, another pending UFA, could be on the market as well, and some have linked him to the Boston Bruins. The Oilers and Flyers are also rumored to be in talks, and that was sparked by the Oilers brass being in Philly on Saturday. Some still beleive the Oilers are interested in Braydon Coburn.
It certainly will be an interesting couple of weeks coming up as we get to one of the busiest times of the year in terms of roster movement. Craig MacTavish has done a decent job of getting some long-term pieces onto this roster, now we wait and see how he handles his second major test.
It promises to be busy, and very interesting.
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