Edmonton Oilers Rumors: “…all of this might equal the exit of Kailer Yamamoto this season,”

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The Hockey Writers

Oilers’ Prospect Depth Makes Kailer Yamamoto Potential Trade Piece

When you factor in the fact the Oilers have some incredibly skilled and high-end forwards coming up through the system, all of this might equal the exit of Kailer Yamamoto this season, a player who could be an attractive addition for a rebuilding team looking for young pieces.
…the focus will be on extending Jesse Puljuarvi this offseason and because the team’s window to compete for the Stanley Cup with this core is about four-five seasons long…
The list of players that insiders believe might help will vary, but Phil Kessel, Alexander Radulov, Joe Pavelski, Dustin Brown, Vladislav Namestnikov are pending UFAs on teams that aren’t likely looking like playoff contenders this season.
The Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, and Detroit Red Wings might all take an interest in Yamamoto if he becomes available.
…letting Yamamoto go for immediate help, then not retaining that help is an option because the likes of Matvei Petrov, Dylan Holloway, Xavier Bourgault, and others are working their way through the Oilers system and a couple of years from potentially being players ready for NHL duty.
Should the Oilers elect not to move Yamamoto for another forward, he’s likely got enough cache around the NHL that he could be used as a piece to acquire what the Oilers need — a goaltender or a left-shot defenseman.
If another 12 games go by and Yamamoto’s point totals haven’t improved, expect to hear his name brought up in trade talks.

BLH’s Thoughts: Yamo’s started to pick things up here recently, his role on the club’s PK, and Leon Draisaitl’s apparent affinity for playing with him might keep him on the team, but Jim Parsons is right about one thing; should Killer go back into scoring hibernation, he’s a tasty trade piece going into this year’s deadline because he has shown that he can score at the NHL level amongst other things.

As I’ve said multiple times before, with his toolbox, I think Yamo is an elite 3rd liner and the ideal Edmonton Oilers roster would have him on the 3rd line and somebody with a bit more scoring touch on the 2nd line.

If I’m reading the tea leaves right, Edmonton’s first rounder will be in play and I believe they may use that on a defenseman. I just hope it’s not used to bring in somebody like Marc Staal (no offense)…

Oilersnation

Off the Top of My Head

It’s a good sign that after playing poorly enough to make Dustin Tokarski look like an actual NHL goaltender and allowing the Buffalo Sabres to end a 0-4-1 winless streak with a 3-2 victory Friday, the Edmonton Oilers resisted the urge to make excuses.
…back-to-back shouldn’t have been a factor… losing this game isn’t one of those learning curve lessons – this team should have learned those lessons long ago. These Oilers should be closer to graduation than kindergarten here, folks.

BLH’s Thoughts: Even after watching Edmonton snatch a guaranteed point away from St. Louis last night, the team is still relying on its offense to win games for them. I mean, that’s fine, if you’ve got the guns to do it, but do you think Koskinen, Smith, and Skinner are going to play that good every time the Oilers take their foot off of the pedal? It’s not like they’ve got Patrick Roy or Curtis Joseph in net or every team they play will be on the hind end of a back-to-back… They MUST clean up the puck management, puck distribution, and overall 5v5 defense or it’s going to be another short post-season.

Koekkoek and Russell aren’t knocking it out of the ballpark this year, if I were GM, I might look at trying to acquire somebody with more of a defensive touch in my own zone. I just remember watching the Blues run Edmonton’s show in the Oilers’ zone for long stretches and getting multiple scoring chances last night and thinking they need someone to stifle that…

Spector’s Hockey

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz still believes there is a 50-50 chance Tomas Hertl signs a contract extension with the San Jose Sharks. While the 28-year-old center seems happier this season, that doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to finish his career in San Jose or the Sharks want to sign him to a long, expensive contract.

NBC SPORTS: James O’Brien believes the Anaheim Ducks should embrace a true roster rebuild following Bob Murray’s resignation as general manager. He suggested attempting to move John Gibson in a well-timed, sell-high trade.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski wondered if the Penguins will be shopping for a reliable backup as Casey DeSmith has allowed four or more goals in seven of his last 10 starts dating back to last March.