On the Edmonton Oilers …
- Bob Stauffer: After claiming Adam Clendening off waivers, don’t be surprised if the Oilers move out a right-handed defenseman in the next few weeks.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: It’s unlikely the Oilers would be able to move out Mark Fayne as he has two years left at $3.6 million per season. They could trade pending free agent Eric Gryba. Justin Schultz could be another option.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Oilers: Although Willis doesn’t necessarily think the Oilers will be forced to trade any of their star forwards for a defenseman, but if they have to, he thinks they should trade Jordan Eberle.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: There would be a market for Teddy Purcell. Andrew Ference is done for the season. If he is deemed healthy by the buyout period, he could be a buyout candidate. He’s owed $3.25 million next year and they could by him out at two-thirds that over two years.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Staples thinks the Oilers could hope for a low first round pick for pending UFA Teddy Purcell, but a second round pick is a more reasonable target.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 690 on the Montreal Canadiens.
“What first needs to be determined is who is actually in play from Montreal’s perspective, and that isn’t clear, guys. It’s not clear yet. There have been Galchenyuk rumors in relation to Jonathan Drouin. This guy’s name has popped out. But it’s all speculation.
“I’ve talked to a number of GMs, and they will acknowledge that there is a sense of desperation coming from Marc Bergevin, but he’s in a precarious spot. Teams aren’t lining up to help the Montreal Canadiens. That’s just not the reality of working things through when you’re a team that’s dealing from a position of weakness. They’ll throw him the boat anchor, but they’re not going to throw him the life preserver in this process. So any deal he makes is going to be a tough one.
“I’m starting to think maybe Montreal just sits there. Stands pat.”