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 Dailyfaceoff.com
Here are seven names I’ve plucked from Frank Seravalli’s new Trade Targets blog that I think the Edmonton Oilers could have (or at least should have) interest in prior to the 2021 NHL entry draft,
4. Conor Garland
Right Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 25
Contract: RFA (Arbitration Eligible)Scoop: The Coyotes have not treated Garland like the player who was the heartbeat of their team. Garland’s camp, led by agent Peter Cooney, submitted two contract proposals (as requested by the club) on May 20 and there has been zero communication or dialogue since. “We’re just looking for Conor to be paid respectfully like the core player he was for the Coyotes,” Cooney told Daily Faceoff on Tuesday. It appears that will be elsewhere, which is no real shock given that Arizona nearly moved Garland in the days prior to April’s trade deadline.
BLH’s Thoughts: Anytime you can get the heartbeat of another team to join your club, that’s a step in the right direction barring the said player is still in his prime. This guy, he reminds me of Sergei Samsonov a bit. He’s small but stocky and man, can he make a play! Great vision, outstanding hands and passing, his wrist shot is a bloody laser, and he’s not afraid of the muck. He definitely should be on Edmonton’s radar as a priority acquisition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVROuIvENwc
9. Jake DeBrusk
Left Wing, Boston Bruins
Age: 24
Contract: 1 year at $3.675 million AAV remainingScoop: One of the NHL’s more consistent, young goal-scoring wingers found himself on the outside of the Bruins’ lineup in Game 5 of the second round. It was the fourth time DeBrusk was healthy scratched by Bruce Cassidy last season, leaving Cassidy to say after the season that the two needed to sit down and find ‘common ground.’ If Taylor Hall re-signs, that gives Boston more flexibility to explore a fresh start for DeBrusk.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve said time and time again on this platform that DeBrusk needs a change of scenery and coming home to play with Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid could unlock his potential.
11. Rickard Rakell
Right Wing, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 28
Contract: 1 year at $3.789 million AAV remainingScoop: Keep an eye on the Ducks to reshuffle the deck this summer. GM Bob Murray wants to speed up the rebuild after three straight seasons picking in the Top 10. Rakell is a talented player who was one of the hottest players in the league for a stretch this season until an untimely injury derailed a possible deadline deal.
BLH’s Thoughts: Edmonton had interest in him at the trade deadline, so we know they’ve talked to Anaheim at least. Rakell has had a couple of down years recently so there might be an opportunity to buy low on him. His contract is manageable and at 28 years old, he’s still in his prime.
12. Rasmus Ristolainen
Right Defense, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 26
Contract: 1 year at $5.4 million AAV remainingScoop: Feels like years now that ‘Risto’ has been part of the rumor mill, but after a Covid-19 ravaged season, this offseason probably brings the best probability that he’s finally on the move. To think, at one point, Ristolainen put together four straight seasons of 40-plus points. Can that ability be unlocked again?
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve always liked Rasmus Ristolainen and we know that the Oilers are watching the skaters on Montreal’s and the Islanders’ defenses with a bit of envy. If the plan is to emulate what those two clubs have, big dmen who make the opposition’s night a living hell, Ristolainen fits the bill almost perfectly. Point as much as you’d like to his +/- but he’s been playing for Buffalo his whole career. I’m more impressed with how he’s produced 40+ points multiple times and found the time to be Milan Lucic’s kryptonite and seeing how the Vegas Golden Knights are in Edmonton’s division, they’ll need the soldiers to compete against that.
15. Rights to Chris Driedger
Goalie, Florida Panthers
Age: 27
Contract: Pending UFAScoop: The Panthers are willing to move Driedger’s rights to a suitor. Driedger is coming off two solid seasons in which he proved to be a capable NHL netminder. With the Expansion Draft, this is not an easy time to trade goalies (and the Blue Jackets might be moving one of theirs, including an expansion-exempt Elvis Merzlikins). But there are a few teams who do not have expansion concerns at that position and might be in the market to lock up a reasonably priced ($3 million?) option in Driedger.
BLH’s Thoughts: The NHL’s history books are riddled with one year wonders, could Chris Driedger be the next one or is there a player here? He’s got some chaos in him but I love entertaining netminders. Problem with that is, NHL coaches do not… Another thing, how many goalies have come to Edmonton and improved under the goalie coach there? Mike Smith had his own, so he doesn’t count.
My feeling is that the Oilers would still like to get their hands on him if the price is right.
17. Warren Foegele
Left Wing, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 25
Contract: RFA (Arbitration Eligible)Scoop: It’s probably no great shock that Foegele is hungry for more opportunity and ice time. It’s also probably no great shock that Carolina may not be in the position to give him more. Foegele is a capable player who competes, brings a shovel and is ready to dig in.
BLH’s Thoughts: I get a Connor Brown vibe from Foegele. He’s bigger and can skate like the wind. He also is getting stronger and his shot has some oomph behind it. This guy would be a very decent middle-six option for Edmonton and I think the price point on him would be something quite beneficial for the club going forward, maybe something in the $2.95M-$3.25M range.
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
