Edmonton Oilers Talk: Could Koskinen Be Headed to Music City?

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!

From The Cult of Hockey

The Edmonton Oilers will sign Adam Larsson, predicts TSN insider

This just in, TSN’s Darren Dreger saying Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland has another deal to close now, the Adam Larsson contract negotiations but Dreger predicts this will occur: “If you get Larsson extended — which they will — now your Top 4 is going to be Adam Larsson and Darnell Nurse as your top pairing, and you’ve got Keith as probably a 3-4 guy. They feel pretty comfortable. Ethan Bear will slide into their Top 4 as well. And then you’ve got Bouchard as your 5-6 and a a question mark on that back end.”
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug said it’s widely believed that the contract will be $3.75 to $4.5 million per year, with the number rising or falling based on length of term. Rishaug was uncertain if Larsson would return.
If the Edmonton Oilers lose Adam Larsson, they will spend any number of years searching for a d-man bringing the exact qualities he has. Larsson is a rugged, nasty and, most importantly, highly effective shut-down d-man, who can move the puck OK.

BLH’s Thoughts: I could be wrong, but I thought I’d read or heard yesterday that the issue between the club and Larsson is term. Now, if we go by the RNH negotiations, it might be safe to bet that Edmonton’s offer gets cheaper as the years get tacked on and if you’re Larsson, it makes perfect sense to see what Seattle is offering before deciding whether or not to dive right into the market head first or to sign with the Edmonton or the Kraken.

Reading between lines of reporters on the Duncan Keith @EdmontonOilers trade – sure sounds like owner Daryl Katz encouraged this trade package due to the actual $$ savings over the next 2 seasons.

May have been other trade packages but likely would cost Edm more in actual $.

— Alex Blair (@thealexblair) July 12, 2021

From Lowetide.ca

TRAMPLED UNDERFOOT

We used to talk on this blog about drafting high being the only way to get impact players. Now, we look longingly at the Moreau-Marchant-Grier line and wonder where they come from. The Edmonton Oilers have 32 names on the 50-man locked in, and are going to add a bunch of names in the next few weeks. What will it look like?
One of the things I’ll be watching for is several NHL signings that will land in the AHL. Remember the year Peter Chiarelli signed Ty Rattie and a bunch of AHL vets in their mid-20’s? I think we’ll see several forwards added, although the Condors have signed several (including Brad Malone).Here’s a list of players I believe are headed out: Mikko Koskinen, Alex Stalock, James Neal, Kyle Turris (possibly AHL).A realistic procurement list is Zach Hyman, Jordan Martinook, Alex Chiasson, Adam Larsson, Mike Smith and Linus Ullmark.

BLH’s Thoughts: Just going off of what’s been said online and the radio, these targets are as realistic as they come. That said, Ullmark might be the hopeful candidate as I’ve not heard as much regarding him in the public spaces from those in the know.

As I’ve said in the past, I love a good story and so I wonder if we might see a new and improved version of “The Kid Line”? Edmonton has Dylan Holloway and Ryan McLeod already in tow, is it possible that somebody like Kailer Yamamoto could find his way onto that line and play the role of Martin Gelinas?

If those three could form a competent trio at the NHL level, maybe a $2M Jordan Martinook on the 4th line or a $6M Zach Hyman on the first line would be more easier to digest.

Maybe you are in the minority on this trade but at least you are not some beer league hockey guy that played Midget B hockey who thinks he’s a Pro Hockey GM. I’m sure that you can see and understand the importance of leadership in the locker room & on the ice. #greattradeOil https://t.co/PYQDdvGOgE

— Mike Applegate (@coach29gator) July 14, 2021

From Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2021

LATEST ON THE PANTHERS

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: In a recent mailbag segment, George Richards was asked if the Florida Panthers would ask Keith Yandle to waive his no-movement clause for either a trade, buyout or exposure in the expansion draft.

Richards hasn’t been able to confirm if the Panthers have approached Yandle about it. He said he’d heard whispers of a handshake agreement between the two sides but nothing’s been substantiated. He thinks Yandle won’t be back with the team one way or another.

COULD THE CANADIENS SHOP ALLEN?

TVA SPORTS: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating the Montreal Canadiens could be tempted to trade Jake Allen rather than risk losing him for nothing to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. He’s starting a two-year, $5.75 million contract. The Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres are two clubs whose goalie issues have been well-documented.

BLH’s Thoughts: The Oilers could be a possibility for Allen, but if we go by what the talking heads have been saying in Edmonton, the Oilers are setting their sites on some higher profile targets.

With Pekka Rinne retiring in Nashville would Predators take another Finn Mikko Koskinen if Oilers at least a third of his $4.5 mil. Koskinen could play with another Finn Juuse Saros?

— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) July 14, 2021

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