On the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche …
David Staple of the Edmonton Journal: Bob Stauffer on his Oilers Now show talking about Jordan Eberle possibly to the New York Islanders.
“It sounds like the Islanders are doing something. And I think the it’s a two-parter. I think the Islanders are going to go big. I really do. I think the New York Islanders are going to take a serious run. Everybody knows they’ve been targeting Matt Duchene as well as Jordan Eberle. To me it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they end up getting both. I can see that happening.”
The Islanders are also rumored to sending a first round pick to Vegas to take on a salary and protect some players from being selected.
“At this stage based on all the smoke and fire that’s out there, I think it’s a real distinct possibility that something could end up happening with Jordan Eberle on short order following the conclusion of the expansion draft, potentially with the Islanders.”
Stauffer on Oilers free agent defenseman Kris Russell: “I would say it’s a better than 50 per cent chance that Kris Russell ends up resigning in Edmonton.”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1040 talking about the New York Islanders. With the Islanders reportedly sending a first round pick, Mikhail Grabovski and some player protection in the draft, it helps give the Islanders some cap space for other moves.
“And it does free up the cap room to maybe let them go out and make a Matt Duchene trade or go out and make a Jordan Eberle trade – or maybe, you never know, make both of those. They’re in a mode where they’re trying to please John Tavares and give him every indication he wants to stay and be the franchise center piece -because he has been and continues to be that, but also have some offensive help.
“So I think there’s a lot of stuff cooking there.”