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Oilers to Make Deal on Sunday? |
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Follow me on Twitter: @rdcloutier
Now only 93 follows short of 4,000. And when I reach that number, I'm giving away a Montreal Expos hat, just because it's fun. And now, this:
My good friend and boss (on this site, at least) Eklund posted a few vague Twitter messages, indicating a major deal could come down on Sunday. Come down the "pipeline" as he put it.
Pipeline.
Well that's just got to be the Oilers now, doesn't it? You don't often see Kings, Leafs or Stars in a pipeline.
So who is it? What is it? Why is it?
Here.
Let me help offer up some options, based on Eklund's blogs, what Twitter has to say, and mumblings from Edmonton-area sports media. None of these ideas are my idea of fun, because if I was making up the rumors, they likely wouldn't contain the teams and players listed below.
1. Oilers deal for Ryan Miller
Deven Dubnyk would need to go back in a deal for it to make sense, but there would need to be more than just Dubnyk involved. I really, really, really, strongly don't believe Miller is coming to Edmonton, based on what I've heard and read...not about Miller, but about Dubnyk. Like, for example, how the Oilers brought in Jason Labarbera because he and Dubey are besties. Everything I've heard makes it sound like the Oilers want to provide Dubnyk with a quality team around him before deciding if he's their guy. They'll give him a season, I think.
2. Oilers deal for Thomas Vanek
Since we're talking Sabres, I might as well bring Vanek up. Where I get confused here is, I have no idea where he'd fit into the roster. After the Perron deal, it seems to me the Oilers Top 6 is pretty set. Well, unless Gagner is shipped out over his contract situation. And Gagner to the Sabres, considering their roster, makes absolutely no sense. Sabres need wingers, not centers. Have 100 great young ones, and some of them are taller than five feet.
3. Oilers deal Hemsky to Sabres
This is possible. Sabres need scoring from the wing. Like my friend Courtenay suggested, maybe Marcus Foligno would be a player coming back in a deal. Big, tough winger who would fit nicely on the Oilers third line. Finally, a deal that makes sense.
4. Oilers acquire Brayden Coburn
Aw yes, this old thing. I still think Ladislav Smid would be the principle player going back to the Flyers. Coburn for Smid + a quality prospect. I can't see Smid + the Oilers 1st pick in 2014. They already dealt their 2nd round pick, and a 1st would be overpayment to a team desperate to shed some salary.
5. Oilers deal Sam Gagner
Contract situation is bad and it sounds like both parties are frustrated. The only way Gagner is dealt is if the Oilers have some sort of replacement coming to be the 2nd line center. Could be a UFA signing like Mikhail Grabovski. Could be a trade to follow. Could even be the decision to move Taylor Hall to center next season (even though doing so would be a huge mistake). Flyers could be a destination for Gagner, although I could list about 10 other teams. Leafs is certainly possible. For some reason, I keep thinking the Oilers and Blue Jackets are going to make a deal at some point this summer. Ryan Johansen hasn't turned into the player they wanted him to be yet. Would absolutely be doing backflips if a Gagner for Johansen deal took place.
6. Oilers acquire Keith Yandle
This is an old rumor, but a good one. The Coyotes as a franchise have less money than I do. Yandle is a top pairing guy, and the Oilers could likely get him for something like Gagner + Smid. Am I saying I'd do it? No. Just speculating.
7. Oilers sign a UFA
Did Eklund insist an Oilers trade was coming, or was he suggesting an Oilers roster move was about to occur? Damien Brunner, Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Morrow and others are still out there waiting for a new contract. Maybe this is a signing, not a trade?
8. Oilers deal with Carolina
Rumor is, Jagr is going to sign with the Hurricanes, but the team needs to move a roster player first. If you've seen their D, well, it blows. So that means they're moving a forward, right? And the Oilers just happen to have an extra defenseman right now. So maybe you could see a deal like, ummm, I don't know...spitballing here...Tuomo Ruutu to Edmonton for Smid. The Oilers have always liked Ruutu, as he is gritty, can score and plays physical. The 'Canes certainly won't be moving either Staal brother (I'm not counting the crap one, of course) or Jeff Skinner. Ruutu is the logical person to go.
9. Oilers and Penguins?
I'm starting to reach here, but I want to make it to ten potential scenarios and the Penguins are in cap trouble. Something about them giving everyone $8mil per season. They could move Paul Martin or Brooks Orpik as a salary dump, but the only way this works is if the Oilers send back picks or prospects. I'd say Jeff Petry, but I think Oilers management would rather shoot themselves in the foot before moving him. Of course, adding Martin or Orpik would just make the defenseman roster traffic jam even worse for the Oilers. Too many 3/4 guys, not enough 1/2 guys.
10. Oilers send Hemsky to New Jersey
And this is suppose to cheer people up after Kovalchuk left? I have no idea what the Devils could send the Oilers for Hemsky that would work out well for both teams, so I'll go ridiculous with it: Hemsky and Gagner for Travis Zajac. Didn't he just sign a million year extension? I can't see why Zajac, who as a No Trade Clause, would allow this to happen, but what the hell. Devils get a center who put up way better numbers than Zajac last season, and a right winger to fill (lol) Kovalchuk's shoes. The Oilers get a big center. Everyone wins (maybe?).
A few other possibles?
- The Sharks are in cap trouble. Could Brent Burns be had?
- The Jets always seem to need a center. What would the Oilers need to give up in addition to Gagner to get Evander Kane? Hall is definitely moving to center if Kane is here.
- What about a goalie from the Ducks? You can't have both Hiller and Fasth as starters, can you?
- The Avs defense is terrible. Maybe Gagner and Smid to Colorado for Matt Duchene? Or are Duchene and Nugent-Hopkins too much alike?
- Are the Senators still needing a Top 6 forward?
- And finally...Dustin Penner.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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