Rumor Du Jour

Today on Oiler’s Now, Bob Stauffer was name dropping one particular player: Sami Vatanen of the Anaheim Ducks.

According to our own Joey Degner, Stauffer mentioned Vatanen’s name 7 times in about 20 minutes. That’s some plentiful mentioning!

It also adds into Jason Gregor of Oilersnation nugget of information:

Nail Yakupov asking for a trade isn’t a surprise. I can see why he’d be frustrated. Right around the trade deadline a source told me Yakupov and his camp had asked for a trade, but I could never get a solid confirmation so I didn’t write it. My source mentioned at the time the Ducks were close (not guaranteed but close) on a deal with Yakupov and Benoit Pouliot prior to the trade deadline, but the injury to Pouliot put an end to those discussions.

Teams will have interest in Yakupov. The return will be more than what some expect, but it also won’t be as much as you’d hope for a player only four years removed from being the first overall pick in the draft. Considering Yakupov’s camp was allowed to talk to other teams, Yakupov will know who had interest, and I’m guessing he will want to make a solid impression for the Ducks tonight.

The Pieces

Earlier today I tweeted a hypothetical trade

I wonder if Pouliot and Yakupov was for Maroon and Vatanen. I wouldn’t want to move Pouliot, and some don’t like Vat, but I’d be okay.

— Kris (@WildcardKH) March 29, 2016

I do wonder if the Maroon trade was going to be bigger in picture. As Gregor mentioned, there seemed to be some smoke for a Pouliot and Yakupov trade to Anaheim and the most obvious target would be Sami Vatanen. Losing Pouliot would stink: I’m a fan of what he’s done and he’s very underrated. I would much rather keep him with Hall and Maroon to have three deep lines. That said, Maroon looks to be taking that original spot that Pouliot held next to McDavid.

If it was for a right handed shot like Vatanen, I would be for it. Yakupov requested a trade prior to the trade deadline and I’m not sure what his value would be. I’d imagine that the trade would have been Pouliot and Yakupov for Maroon and Vatanen, which I think is a good trade for both teams. I’m not sure who would need to add (if needed).

Vatanen

Sami Vatanen is part of the treasure of the backend for the Anaheim Ducks. He is part of a very young core including Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindhollm, Simon Depres and Josh Manson. However, the Ducks are an internal cap team and are going to be struggling to retain some of their players next season including Frederik Andersen, John Gibson, Hampus Lindholm, David Perron, Rickard Rakell, Shawn Horcoff and Chris Stewart.

Jonathan Willis of the Cult of Hockey offers doubt towards Vatanen being a top pairing defenseman with the following:

The problem with Vatanen is that he almost certainly isn’t a top-pair even-strength defenceman. He’ll help a lot on the PP and the PK, but if I’m looking for an offensive guy who can also be a No. 1 RD, I’m looking at Shattenkirk rather than Vatanen.

It’s a fair critique. Looking at Vatanen’s hero chart, it’s pleasing to the eye, but he does not play top minutes. He would be better on the second pairing.

In an Ideal world a defense that looks like:

Klefbom-Hamonic

Sekera-Vatanen

Davidson-Nurse/Reinhart/Pardy/Gryba (basically who ever at sixth D)

Would look rather nice. This way you’re not forcing your young guys to tough minutes and they get to play with the stable Brandon Davidson.

Vatanen is a smooth skating smooth passing defenseman that does well on the power play: 18 of his current 37 points in 67 games are on the power play. A power play quarter back would be something the Oilers would salivate for. He’s an offensive minded defenseman, not overly big (listed at 5’11, 183 lbs). Put him with someone stabilizing ala Sekera or Davidson and I do think that would be very complementary.

Final Thoughts

It would be great to have Sami Vatanen on the Edmonton Oilers. It’s too soon to say it’s a done deal or if it will even happen. However, there seems to be fire during the trade deadline for a move and I think Vatanen is the most likely target for the Oilers to acquire. I think Vatanen would be a good fit for the Oilers, but it must be stressed that he would be a second pairing option. If Chiarelli could acquire Hamonic and Vatanen, it would be an amazing off season. Some big ifs, but one can dream.