Edmonton Oilers Rumors: “The only way I could see it working is if Zack Kassian is going back the other way.”

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Oilersnation

Players of interest from Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list

1. Joonas Korpisalo

“At this point, it doesn’t seem as though goaltending is a pressing need for the Oilers. Even if it becomes an issue, I’m not sure Korpisalo, who has a .892 save percentage between this season and last, would be an upgrade over what they already have.”

2. Jake DeBrusk

“With other areas of need (the blueline, third-line centre), it’s difficult to see Edmonton taking on this kind of financial commitment for another winger right now. The only way I could see it working is if Zack Kassian is going back the other way.”

3. Dylan Strome

“Again, money would need to be going out the other way, but if the Oilers are going to acquire a reclamation project, it would make more sense for it to be Strome than DeBrusk, given the former fits a more glaring positional need.”

BLH’s Thoughts: None of these players interest me as upgrade for the Oilers Stanley Cup run. They’re either performing poorly or they’re too young or both. I want grizzled veterans for this run and role players who can move up and down the lineup if needed.

I don’t think the Oilers need to address the goaltending as much, maybe they could use one extra veteran defender like Ben Chiarot. But I would definitely look to upgrade the bottom six with proven playoff performers.

As for the trade fodder, we know that Ken Holland will spend some of his futures to bring in immediate help, but in addition to that I’m curious to know what the status of Kailer Yamamoto, Zack Kassian, and Derek Ryan are. These three skaters would have differing amounts of value to other GMs in the league and in my opinion, they could be used to bring in help down the line, be that a Phil Kessel, Joe Pavelski, or in an extreme longshot (and very costly) scenario, Claude Giroux.

The Athletic

Canada’s world juniors roster: Corey Pronman projects the lineup

Forwards

Perfetti	Johnson	Sourdif
Neighbours	McTavish	Bourque
Lapierre	Wright	Guenther
Finley	Greig	Evangelista
Bourgault	Dufour

“Bourgault has a lot of offensive touch, but on Team Canada, roster spots run out quickly. It’s going to be hard to leave him at home but he may be hard-pressed to be a regular, barring injuries or a fantastic camp.”

Defensemen

Power	Zellweger
Guhle	Cormier
Hunt	Iorio
Lambos	O’Rourke

Goaltenders

Cossa
Garand
Brochu

BLH’s Thoughts: I wrote this morning that I thought the team could use more well-rounded players over Connor Bedard like Ty Tullio, but now when I look at that group, maybe it does need more skill should Hockey Canada pick the team as Corey Pronman sees it. It is a very gritty physical group presented above with Neighbours, Greig, Courdif, and McTavish on forward.

The defense lacks a bit of bite, but there’s tons of puck movement there. New Edmonton Oil King Kaiden Guhle will be able to provide some physicality from the blue line though. I’m looking forward to seeing what Owen Power can do against his peers considering how well he did for Canada at the World Championships last year versus men.

I’ve got no issues in net Sebastian Cossa is elite and Garand/Brochu are older goalies with excellent pedigree.

It’s a shame we’ll have to wait until the medal round to see Canada play the US. I think with a roster like the one Pronman has projected, that game would be ridiculously entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l1vYBDfATM

NHLRumors.com

Eric Macramalla: Forbes Mike Ozanian on the Arizona Coyotes: “for sale again with idea of buyer eventually moving team to a new arena in Houston.”
Craig Morgan: Ozanian’s source on this is an ‘unnamed banking industry source.’
Craig Morgan: NHL commission Gary Bettman said the Coyotes/Houston rumors are “Completely false.”
TSN: Pierre LeBrun on what Carey Price‘s future with the Montreal Canadiens is now that there is a change in management.

“There’s a new person running the Montreal Canadiens we know in Jeff Gorton. Carey Price was very tight with Marc Bergevin, everyone knows that. He’s 34-years-old. Where does a 34-year-old future Hall of Famer fit in the plans of a rebuild, if that’s what Jeff Gorton plans to do.”

Eric Engels: Have been told that Daniel Briere is high up on the list of potential candidates for the Montreal Canadiens ‘GM’ position.
Shawn Simpson: Even if the Senators retained salary, no team is trading for Matt Murray at this point.