Rumor Has It…..

Quick rumor hit regarding the Edmonton Oilers on this lovely Saturday afternoon. The short story? There is a lot going on and a lot being talked about right now. To say Craig MacTavish has a lot of lines out right now would be a total understatement.

Braydon Coburn: The Oilers and Flyers are in fact talking here, that’s been confirmed by a lot of people, including TSN guru Darren Dreger. The Oilers are interested in adding the Flyers defender who has the ability to do it all, and would no doubt upgrade Edmonton’s blue line, adding a legit top four option.

Talk was rumored to be based around the 7th overall pick, but Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly reports the Flyers are after the Oilers two second round draft picks. There is a lot of smoke here, and this rumor has a legit chance of happening. The Oilers are in desperate need of a legit upgrade on the back-end, and they just might get it here.

I expect we’ll hear more tomorrow on this one.

Corey Schneider….HUH?: That’s right, Edmonton has been connected to Canucks goalie Corey Schneider, you know the one that is (or was) pushing Luongo out the door? Rumor is flying that Vancouver simply isn’t getting the kinds of offers they want from teams for Lou, so they might move the younger, more attractive asset in Schneider.

TSN has connected Edmonton, along with the Islanders, Flyers, and Flames to this rumor. The asking price is a young player and a 1st round pick, so in Edmonton’s case most likely Magnus Paajarvi and the 7th overall pick. Is that enough to lure the Canucks into trading him within the division? I’m not so sure, but it gives you somewhat of an idea of what Vancouver might want.

Schneider would no doubt be the starter in Edmonton, and he has a lot of potential to be a star goalie in the NHL. I highly doubt Vancouver moves him, but if they do, it sounds like Edmonton will be right in the mix.

Roberto Luongo: Bob McKenzie (The King of insiders) reported on radio Friday night that if Vancouver can’t deal Luongo, they might be interested in placing him on waivers for a buy-out, but Bob also thinks if he goes on waivers, there is a really good chance Edmonton claims him.

Luongo has a lot of talent, and he’s showed and proved that throughout the years. He’s a guy that could use a change, and even though he thinks “His contract sucks” he is still a pretty darn good goalie.

Canucks GM Mike Gillis said today that he isn’t ruling out a compliance buy-out for Roberto, and also confirmed teams have looked into and called on Schneider. Both of those situations are worth keeping an eye on from an Oilers perspective.

Other Goalies?: In addition to Luongo and Schneider, Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that the Oilers are interested in a number of different goalies. Who are these guys? I’m not sure, as not much as been leaked yet. One would assume Ilya Bryzgalov’s situation is being monitored by Edmonton, even though I don’t see him as a fit.

Wouldn’t be shocked if Edmonton is tire kicking on Mike Smith either, as he could be an interesting UFA option. Maybe they are talking with Buffalo about the possibility of Ryan Miller? Who knows exactly, but this is also something to watch over the next week and a half.

Cal Clutterbuck: It’s sounding more and more like the Wild will be moving Cal Clutterbuck this weekend. Mike Russo of the Star Tribune in Minnesota has connected Edmonton to Clutterbuck already once this week, so it shouldn’t be too surprising to see this rumor kicking up.

The Wild are in a terrible cap spot right now, and they need to get creative to ice an entire roster next year. That could very well spell the end for Cal in Minny. The Wild are interested in Oilers prospect Tyler Pitlick, who to this point, has been a pretty big disappointment for the Oilers.

I’d assume Pitlick and a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round pick gets this deal done.

I’ll be back with more, but in the meantime follow me on twitter @Alex_Thomas14