The Oilers won’t be blown up and it’s no shocker they are looking for speed …
Paul Gazzola of NHL.com: Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli yesterday:
“I’m not going to blow up the team.”
The Oilers are looking to ‘remodel’ and are looking to get faster.
“We’re looking for speed,” Chiarelli said. “We hope to address that a little bit as far as prospects in return. That’s the primary objective of this deadline. We could always get picks but I prefer not to.”
Chiarelli adds:
“You’re looking for a prospect that’s close to playing, if not ready to play.”
The Oilers have five pending unrestricted free agents in Patrick Maroon, Mark Letestu, Michael Cammalleri, Yohann Auvitu and Mark Fayne.
Maroon and Letestu have drawn the most interest. The Oilers have also talked to both players about re-signing.
“As far as hockey deals, we’re looking at a couple,” Chiarelli said. “I don’t know where they sit right now. There’s some larger action going on right now and we’re not in it. But so much happens in the course of two, three or four days, so we’ll just be on top of it.”
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: It’s time for the Oilers to move on from Patrick Maroon. They can’t afford the number he’s looking for under the salary cap. With Michael Grabner being traded for a second-round pick, the Oilers should be able to get that for him.
The Oilers at some point before next year will need to find a goalie that would push Cam Talbot for the starters job.
Jim Matheson: It would likely be against head coach Todd McLellan wishes if the Oilers trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Jim Matheson: “If Chiarelli says it’s not fiscally wise to have 3 C’s eating up $27 mil next yr (McDavid, $12.5 m, Draisaitl $8.5 m and RNH $6) then Nugent-Hopkins has to play wing or he’s getting moved for an off D or a fast, scoring winger.
