On the Edmonton Oilers …
- Mark Spector: Coach Todd McLellan when asked about changing the commitment level of some players: “Maybe we have to get rid of some.”
- Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, when asked about moving one of his players that makes $6 million – Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Chiarelli said that he’s absolutely open to anything, though those types of deals usually don’t happen at the trade deadline.
“For me, major deals are less likely at this time,” he said. “There is more global planning that takes place post-season prior to the draft. Then you have the draft picks, which are alluring to teams. There’s just more activity that way.
“Anything is possible, but I can tell you I’m not really looking at that type of deal now. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be looking at that for the spring and summer.”
Chiarelli has never been afraid to make a bold move, and the Oilers may be in need of one.
“I would explore any option,” he said. “I want to improve this team and if we have an excess supply of certain types of players, yes, certainly I would look at it. Having said that, they’re good players and it has to be the right deal.”
Chiarelli admits that some players may be in need of a change of scenery.
“I’ll look at a lot of different things,” he said. “We’ve got some players who’ve underachieved. We’ve got some players who may need a new venue. Those are the determinations we’ll make between now and the trade deadline.
“If certain players are still around (after Feb. 29) it’s because the deal wasn’t right or we felt there’s a future for them with us, and then we’ll re-visit stuff in the summer.”
The Oilers need a top pairing defenseman, but those are difficult to get midseason.
“It’s evident that this is what we’re looking for but they’re not available,” he said, adding his luck might be better in the summer. “I’d also like to get bigger and heavier. And we’ll do that.”