I feel like this week has been overly busy with Oilers trade rumors. Given that the holiday trade freeze has just begun (it will last until Dec. 28th), that makes sense. The crazy thing is though, the rumors haven’t stopped. I just got done talking to one of my sources and I’ve been told a couple of new names that I’ll let you in on below. But first…
**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 and GMs are pretty gun shy. 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?**
Top Five Oilers Who Could Be Traded in 2019
- Matthew Benning (D) – Isn’t progressing as the brass have liked. Has been passed on the depth chart by Caleb Jones. St. Louis or Dallas might have interest.
- Ryan Spooner (C) – Hasn’t produced as expected and wasn’t brought in to be a 4th line center. Oilers need to shed his salary. Could be sent back to Boston.
- Zack Kassian (RW) – The Identity Line is doing a fine job of keeping the other team off the scoresheet but is doing a horrible one of getting ON the scoresheet themselves. Pittsburgh might be interested.
- Milan Lucic (LW) – Two goals in a calendar year isn’t cutting it. Boston rumored to be interested.
- Drake Caggiula (LW) – Oilers brass expected a bit more production and longevity (health-wise) out of Caggiula. Philly could be a possible destination.
I’m not a huge fan of dismantling The Identity Line. I have no qualms with them not scoring because they’re keeping the other team off the board when they are on the ice. A line like that would be sorely missed in the playoffs should Edmonton make it. That said, JJ Khaira has filled in on that line admirably when asked.
Spooner can go, I haven’t seen enough out of him to be convinced he’s going through a bad spell. I’d like to keep Caggiula though. I feel like he’s the kind of player who can change the momentum of a game with a hit but he’s got to do better with the giveaways…
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New Names
The Oilers are going to be in tough to get their roster sorted out when Kris Russell returns. That could be a soon as this weekend against Tampa and since the trade freeze will be in effect until the 28th of this month, the waiver wire might get some action. Unless they decide to send Caleb Jones back to Bakersfield, but I have a hard time seeing that as an option. More likely they put Jason Garrison on waivers as they might want to get a better look at Chris Wideman on the PP.
I’m not sure I believe this one but the Oilers are scouting Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk. I guess Boston has some interest in bringing back Milan Lucic. Don’t shoot me, I’m just the messenger!
Boston isn’t the only team that has interest in Lucic either.
The Pittsburgh Penguins apparently are looking to get beefy. Looch and Zack Kassian are on their radar. Tom Wilson is driving them bananas and I suppose the Penguins think that adding Lucic or Kassian will prevent further shenanigans from Wilson?
What is Jim Rutherford doing over there? Ryan Reaves wasn’t good enough last year, how is Milan Lucic going to be better?
Oh, and Derrick Brassard has peaked the Oilers interest.
I’m lead to believe that the Oilers and Sabres have been chatting about Conor Sheary, but I can’t see why Buffalo would want to part ways with the speedy winger so soon.
As I’ve said countless times before, whatever trade the Oilers make, they’re going to have to get VERY creative in order to make the dollars work! All I ask is that they leave Draisaitl and Puljujarvi alone…
There you have it, the latest rumors! Enjoy the holiday trade freeze!
