Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Duncan Keith, the next Raffi Torres, the Mike Smith Contingency Plan, and More!

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

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From Oilersnation

Edmonton has apparently offered Chicago a “take it or leave it” deal for Duncan Keith

On Friday’s episode of the DFO Rundown, Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor spoke about the rumours, with Seravalli reporting that the Blackhawks aren’t interested in retaining any of Keith’s salary and that Ken Holland has offered a “take it or leave it” deal…

SERAVALLI: “To touch on the Duncan Keith situation for a second with the Oilers, my understanding is that there is definite interest there, but I think that interest and paying a certain price has waned in the last week or so.”
“The Oilers have had discussions with the Chicago Blackhawks. First off, there’s two things in play. One, Chicago is not willing to retain any salary, And the second thing is, whatever pieces the Oilers had on the table to try and make something happen, and I believe it centred around Caleb Jones plus something else, and you can understand why Jones was part of the picture because Chicago wants to also try and bring in Seth Jones, my understanding is one or more of those pieces has since been removed.”
“Edmonton has offered a take it or leave it type deal and there’s only a certain price they’re willing to pay given that Chicago isn’t willing to retain money.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I like this style of negotiation from Ken Holland. I think he used it with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as well and look how that turned out. When Seravalli was on LT’s radio show, he said that the other piece had, in fact, been taken off the table.

So now the return is sitting at Caleb Jones with the pressure compounding as the deadline for teams to have their expansion draft protection lists submitted approaches. The Oilers have options, the Blackhawks do not… As Bob Stauffer always says, “time will tell on that regard.”

From The Daily Goal Horn

Potential trade destinations for Vladimir Tarasenko

Here are three potential ideal landing spots for Tarasenko, but it will require money going back out in order for the deal to work.

The New York Islanders: Talk about a team that needs more offense. They have a little over $5 million in cap space so they will need to send money back to the Blues. Maybe Josh Bailey or Nick Leddy would be in the deal to make it work.
Vegas Golden Knights: The team wants help on the power play and Tarasenko can supply that. Vegas has $6 million in cap space and are talking about trading a goalie to get more. This is one to watch.
Washington Capitals: They will be signing Alexander Ovechkin after the expansion draft takes place and have vowed to take another kick at the Cup. It’s also possible they lose T.J. Oshie in expansion. Tarasenko will be a nice replacement here.

BLH’s Thoughts: I could definitely see the Islanders getting in on The Tank. Kevin Weekes was on Oilers Now this week and he seemed to feel strongly about that clubs chances at acquiring Taraseko.

My feeling is that the Isles would rather keep Leddy and Bailey and perhaps they’d send former Edmonton Oiler Jordan Eberle and Michael Dal Colle to St. Louis instead as they’ve got Kiefer Bellows and Oliver Wahlstrom on the verge of breaking through to the big club.

From The Athletic

Lowetide: Is this the year the Oilers find a world-class agitator in the draft?

Fans can get mad, but the Oilers must prepare for a possible repeat performance in the next playoff series. How does a team add rugged, agitating forwards?

It all starts at the draft.

This year, there’s a dandy skill forward with agitating upside named Zachary L’Heureux. He is a load. Just 5.11 but 196, he’s built like a Coke machine and hits like a truck.

Intimidation, rugged play and an agitating style are all part of L’Heureux’s resume, as is going right to the line, and at times beyond.

L’Heureux isn’t going to be the next Mark Messier or Esa Tikkanen. He isn’t a lock to play on a skill line and could spend his hockey life on the third line.

BLH’s Thoughts: Could this be the new Yanni Gourde? I’m a big fan of this type of player but there’s risk involved drafting them I believe. The jump from junior to pro is massive and sometimes the learning curve can be a steep and painful one for them.

I remember they called Raffi Torres a “buzzsaw” in his draft year and he was a very talented junior player in addition to being physically imposing. It’s too bad he couldn’t help himself on the ice and stick to playing the game as opposed to ending the careers of his peers…

All of that said, I would support taking this player in the first round should Sebastian Cossa or Fabian Lysell be selected before 19th overall. L’Heureux could be this team’s Maxim Lapierre or Alex Burrows at the bottom end of the fully developed NHLer scale OR he could the next David Perron… Food for thought.

From The Oilers Rig

Oilers “Exploring” Goalie Market, In Talks With Mike Smith

According to David Pagnotta of ‘The Fourth Period‘, talks between the Oilers and Smith are underway.

“Contract negotiations between the Oilers and G Mike Smith are ongoing,” Pagnotta tweeted on Friday afternoon. “I believe an offer has been tabled by the Oilers, but Smith’s camp will likely counter.”
“Also hearing Edmonton has been exploring the goalie trade market,” Pagnotta added. “May have more to do with a possible Koskinen buyout.”

The Oilers have been connected to Florida Panthers goalie Chris Dreidger, who is set to hit the free agent market later this month. Sources indicate the Oilers have checked in about trading for his rights in advance of the market opening.

The Oilers have also reportedly checked in with the Arizona Coyotes, and are expected to show interest in Buffalo Sabres netminder Linus Ullmark should he hit the market.

BLH’s Thoughts: It’s an interesting year for players re-signing in Edmonton, isn’t it? Aside from Adam Larsson, the players really haven’t had a lot of leverage and even in Larsson’s case, the Oilers might choose to walk away from him and bring back Tyson Barrie to go along with Ethan Bear and Evan Bouchard. I wouldn’t advise it, but it’s possible.

So, with Smith, if his ask is too high, what’s stopping Holland from going out and making a move for Chris Driedger, Linus Ullmark, Petr Mrazek, or any other goalie that’s available. It’s a buyer’s market and the Oilers are flush, for now…