On the Edmonton Oilers …
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Don’t expect the Oilers to be blowing things up according to Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli.
“Of course not,’’ Chiarelli said. “I’ve said that to our fans. Part of what we’re striving for here is stability and continuity and sticking to a strong plan. We’re not going to stray from that. It doesn’t mean we’re not going to make a trade here and there. But a blockbuster, blow-it-up (trade)? No.”
Chiarelli on if he’s worried about his job security with how the teams season has gone so far.
“I know a lot of things I’ve done have been questioned this year,’’ Chiarelli said. “But that happens when things go bad. I feel I’m in a strong position to go forward and I’ve been assured that.’’
On the Calgary Flames …
Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Contract talks between the Calgary Flames and Mikael Backlund’s camp are heating up. A new deal could be in the six-year, $30 million range, but if he doesn’t get that much from the Flames, he could look elsewhere in free agency, and would likely get more.
Backlund isn’t happy that he has to deal with the talks mid-season.
“It’s not what I wanted, but it is what it is,” Backlund told Postmedia.
“I wish I didn’t have to deal with it during the season, but it’s part of business and we’re professionals and have to deal with it. Both sides want the best, so we’ll see what happens.
“I was pushing for (a new contract) in the summer and talking to my agent (J.P. Barry) then, but things got a little crazy with everything that was going on before the season started. All the (Jaromir) Jagr situation and, ‘who is going to stay and who is going to go,’ and all that — I know Tre (Flames GM Brad Treliving) was busy. It was a busy time.”
Rumor has it he’s looking for the same type of deal Kyle Turris got from the Predators, six-years at $6 million per. Another source said his asking price is closer to $5 million per season on a five- or six-year deal.