Right after tonight’s game, I was sent two messages from different sources regarding what the Oilers are looking at doing with their roster. You can probably tell by the title of the post where we’re going with this.
**Preface: Use your own judgment here. I’m only a guy who happens to know someone within a professional hockey organization. I’m not an insider per se, but I hear things and I’ve been given permission to pass them on to you. All of this could come true or none of it could. It’s more likely the latter because things change all of the time. My advice, treat this like water cooler banter and don’t take it too seriously. It’s all entertainment at the end of the day anyhow, right?**
Oiler fans… 3..2..1… discuss… pic.twitter.com/ovGF3ojHMs
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) December 18, 2018
It’s no surprise that Blues GM Doug Armstrong and Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli are talking. They’ve made deals in the past and have seemingly always been connected in rumors. I’m thinking Kevin Shattenkirk from a couple seasons ago and more recently Alex Pietrangelo. I’ve also speculated about Colton Parayko probably every season since he broke into the league under Hitchcock.
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The Messages
The Oilers are having talks with STL about Parayko. It would be a very big deal. Possibly a multi-team deal. Lots of moving pieces.
Given the amount of money coming in and the amount that has to go out. Bringing in another team that has cap space makes sense.
Chiarelli thinks that the D needs a boost other than Klef and ‘Rej. Not sure who would be going out but Edmonton and the Blues are talking.
I don’t know how much of a boost Sekera is going to give the team but they sure have some pieces that need to be moved out. Ryan Spooner being one of them.
My Biggest Fear
I’m afraid that Leon Draisaitl could be the player moved out. I love him and think he’s worth every penny but you do have to wonder how much Hitchcock loves him when he doesn’t have the puck? Getting his $8.5 million salary off the books would certainly help out but unless Edmonton is getting Parayko AND Tarasenko or Schwartz in any trade with St. Louis, is a player who’s on pace for well over 80pts the one that should be traded?
Usually, anytime I hear something about a big trade, I don’t put a whole lot of stock into it. Massive trades are few and far between these days thanks to the salary cap. It is hard to ignore this though. Colton Parayko is always in rumors going to the Oilers and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up back home in Northern Alberta before this season is done.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
