Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: “There has been so much chatter around him and the Oilers…”

This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!

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Oilersnation

Weekly Rumours – Five days until the NHL trade deadline!

There are some new names on the Trade Targets list that should interest the Oilers.
- The first is left-handed defenseman, Carson Soucy.
- Some defensemen that won’t cost nearly as much as Soucy, but are on Frank’s list include Brett Kulak, Calvin De Haan, and Robert Hagg.
They also have the Josh Archibald situation which is worth keeping an eye on. If an American team likes him and the Oilers can recoup a late-round pick for him, I wonder if they’ll turn around and go acquire a new depth forward to slide into the lineup.
Mark Spector wrote that Arturri Lehkonen could be a name to watch, but I think he’ll get a second-round pick at a minimum and I just can’t see the Oilers giving that up for a guy who would be on their third line.
Spector also mentioned Justin Braun. There has been so much chatter around him and the Oilers that I would call him their most likely deadline acquisition.

BLH’s Thoughts: I wonder if Ken Holland might just hold on to Josh Archibald and use him when he can. He’s clearly better than what the Oilers have with regards to call-up options in Bakersfield for the role that he plays and I’m not certain there’s a GM out there that’ll help Ken Holland out here.

As for the dmen, Kulak doesn’t impress me much, but he seems to be on a lot of teams lists and despite having a lot of depth on the left side, the rumor mill keeps churning out that Edmonton is looking to add another LHD with some sandpaper.

Now, as it stands, the Ottawa Senators just put up the fire sale sign and there’s a player or two on that roster that I think would benefit the Oilers’ playoff run.

Josh Brown (RHD) – Tough, stay-at-home dman. Possibly Erik Gudbranson 2.0 for some team.

Zach Sanford (W), Austin Watson (W), Nick Paul (C/W) – big bodies who thrive in the muck. Paul has more skill and scoring and is a better skater than the other two, but Watson and Sanford are punishing forwards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elGwpmQOFQQ

Artem Zub would be a great add but I think the Sens really value this player and he’s a fantastic two-way talent aged only 26 years and makes a paltry $2.5M/yr. But if Ottawa was open to a Barrie/Zub swap somehow, that might be something worth looking into for Holland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehXu37R01Ok

The Hockey Writers

Rumors Resurface Of Trade Talks Between Oilers and Blackhawks

The rumor coming out of Chicago is that the Oilers might have an interest in is Dominik Kubalik. Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Blackhawks are making progress on a Kubalik trade and that the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers were frontrunners.
When you factor in that Kubalik is also due a big qualifying offer next season, it’s a financial commitment the Oilers would be making to the player if they give up anything to acquire him, simply because it makes little sense to spend assets on a player you have no intention of keeping.
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug responded to Pope’s tweet and posted a comment on the Kubalik rumors. He writes, “I suppose things can change quickly, but it is my sense that Kubalik is not on the Oilers radar at this moment in a meaningful way.” He added, “I believe the focus remains on some blue-line help. A depth F is a possibility but not at or near top of the list.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Unless the plan is to rent him for the playoffs and trade him in the off-season, I don’t understand why this player would be on Holland’s radar right now.

Now, on the other hand, what happens when the other teams zero in on Connor and Leon like they’ve done in the past? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a couple of other guys down the lineup who could pick up the slack?

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey – Chris Johnston reports Seattle Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano is among the Toronto Maple Leafs’ trade targets.
- Frank Seravalli reports the Leafs are Giordano’s preference. He wondered if the Kraken might accept a second-round pick from the Leafs.
- Pierre LeBrun suggests Lindholm could be a fit with the Bruins or St. Louis Blues but it’ll take a high price to pry him away from the Ducks.
- Frank Seravalli reports Blues GM Doug Armstrong has contacted clubs in the market for goaltending help and pitched Jordan Binnington as a solution to their woes.
- Fluto Shinzawa reports whatever the Bruins are offering is unlikely to outdo other clubs interested in the 23-year-old Chychrun. He believes the Bruins would have to part with a top prospect such as Mason Lohrei or Fabian Lysell as part of a package to entice the Coyotes.
The Daily Goal Horn – On Hampus Lindholm: According to multiple reports, the Ducks are seeking almost exactly what the Canadiens received for Ben Chiarot (a 1st, 3rd, and a prospect.)
The Hockey Writers – As per Darren Dreger, “Arturi Lehkonen is now the piece in play in Montreal. High interest in the 26-year-old forward.” The Canadiens were considering moving the forward but many believed they might hang onto him.
- Dreger adds, “Decision time for the Canadiens. He could help the Habs for the next 4-5 years. His value to the team is being measured against his trade return.”

BLH’s Thoughts: The Oilers have been watching the Habs very closely recently and a guy like Arturi Lehkonen would certainly be an upgrade for their bottom six, I’m not confident that Ken Holland is willing to pay what the Canadiens are looking for in return for the gritty Finnish winger. I’m betting that defenseman Brett Kulak has been the skater they’ve been watching.

I’m really preparing for a underwhelming trade deadline from Ken Holland this year, however, there’s a part of me that wonders if he might pull the trigger on a deal to bring in a substantial player but at the sacrifice of somebody the fanbase has truly grown fond of. I’m not saying that I’ve heard that, so don’t get things all twisted there. All I’m pontificating upon is the possibility that Holland scores a late deadline deal that’ll make folks go, “Oh shit… How’d he manage that?”