Keith Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Sun: Alas, the Oilers rental list is not a very long one. Many options evaporate before they even get to the table. The Jake Muzzin trade forces the Gretzky hand to make a move soon. At least, that possibility increases.
A few players to look at include Ryan Dzingel, Mats Zuccarello, Micheal Ferland, Wayne Simmonds, and Derick Brassard. Realistically, Dzingel and Ferland stick out because of affordability. Arguably, they fit in the best as well.
The Keith Gretzky “laundry list” for the Edmonton Oilers
Lowetide of Lowetide.ca: This important list for the Oilers includes the following:
- “Offload as many of Cam Talbot, Alex Petrovic, Brandon Manning, Matt Benning, Alex Chiasson, Ryan Spooner and Tobias Rieder as possible.
- Acquire a scoring forward with term (I think three years, or a player who is still RFA when the current contract is complete).
- Find a righty defenceman (with term) who can play between Larsson on the top pair and Benning, Bear, Bouchard or Persson on the third pair.
- A backup goalie who can push Koskinen. That’s no easy task.”
Shopping high and low, Gretzky will not have it easy. The one wrinkle is exploring the idea of Dougie Hamilton. Andreas Athanasiou costing too much is a definite reality for the Edmonton Oilers sadly.
The Search For The New Edmonton Oilers General Manager
TSN.ca Staff of TSN: Bob McKenzie thinks the Oilers are in no rush to name a new general manager. That is because Vegas is not expected to give them permission in-season for Kelly McCrimmon. Some other candidates may be contacted in the next week or so.
Kurt Leavens of the Edmonton Journal: Alas, the longer Edmonton waits the more likely McCrimmon is their choice for general manager. There exists a bit more than that as Edmonton needs to find why they go off track. It means exploring questions with uncomfortable answers. Scouting is important as well. Ethan Bear and Krill Maksimov turning the corner this year are encouraging nuggets. Finally, there is the call to re-acquire Taylor Hall.