On the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Los Angeles Kings
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on the Edmonton Oilers and trade talk around the team. Friedman says that the Oilers would be willing to move some of their depth players – Iiro Pakarinen, Anton Slepyshev and Jujhar Khaira.
“I know Nugent-Hopkins’ name is out there. I’m not convinced that Peter Chiarelli wants to do it. I think also that if he does do it, I think the price is going to be extremely high. I just think he’d like to do something. He doesn’t want to do anything he’s going to regret. I think that’s a sign that he hasn’t made a trade already that he’s being very careful.”
Chiarelli is likely interested in Penguins defenseman Ian Cole, but is not sure that the Oilers would want to pay the high asking price the Penguins want.
Talk moved to the Winnipeg Jets and defenseman Jacob Trouba. Trouba is a pending restricted free agent. Friedman believes that if Trouba is playing the right side, he’s happy.
“I just think on Trouba they let it play out. They see how they do, and they take a stab at signing him long term. And I think they’ll see if they can do it.”
Talks moved to Drew Doughty, who will be a free agent after next season. Friedman believes that “it’s more likely than not” that Doughty will remain in LA.
“But he says, ‘I want to be paid more than P.K..I want a big number. Yeah, I’m a London-area guy, so the Leafs would be interesting. And by the way, I’m going to talk to Erik Karlsson and we’re going to compare notes.’ Which they should, they’re in the same agency and they’re the two best defensemen available.”