On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers really need to bring in a puck-moving defenseman this offseason. GM Peter Chiarelli will be looking to make a trade a draft, and it might cost him Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Matheson would target Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. The Oilers would have to get a long-term contract for him done before agreeing to a trade.
Sami Vatanen would be another defenseman the Oilers could look at.
The Oilers should be checking out goalie market this offseason to look for a backup goalie who would sign a one year deal. Laurent Brossoit isn’t ready yet and he needs to get a lot of action in the AHL. Options for the Oilers include Chad Johnson, Curtis McElhinney, Michael Hutchinson and Cam Ward.
Lowetide: Think that the Oilers will look to trade the likes of Benoit Pouliot, Mark Fayne, and Nail Yakupov instead of one of their $6 million players. This also would mean that the return would be less. Think that one of Jason Demers or Travis Hamonic will be with the Oilers next year.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
General Fanager: Artemi Panarin’s four point night put him in 11th in scoring among forwards. If he finishes in the top 10, he gets a $1.725 million bonus. If Panarin hits the bonus, the Blackhawks have an estimated $2.64 million bonus overage for next season – which would count against their salary cap.
Chris Hine: Panarin is chasing Blake Wheeler for the 10th spot in the forward scoring race. (before last night’s game)
** The Blackhawks and Jets played each other last night. Panarin had four points, Wheeler had three points. Wheeler is now 9th with 72 points, Anze Kopitar is 10th with 70 points and Panarin is 11th with 68 points.
