The Edmonton Oilers to begin their GM search later this week
TSN: Bob McKenzie says the Edmonton Oilers will start contacting teams later this week about asking for permission to speak with potential general manager candidates.
“We don’t expect the timeline to be accelerated. In other words, we’re not expecting a new general manager to be named before the trade deadline and in fact this could be something that drifts a lot longer than that. But it sounds like later this week the proPcess is going to take the next step, which is actually contacting teams, getting permission, and getting more into more of the heart of this matter.”
Dreger can’t see the Oilers trading Nugent-Hopkins
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 was asked if the Edmonton Oilers could trade forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins if offered a good price?
“Can’t imagine. I can’t imagine, unless it’s just a jaw-dropping offer,” replied Dreger immediately. “Because when I look at the Edmonton Oilers, you can count on probably six – maybe seven – fingers how many players are players of substance – with all due respect to those who are earning a living as NHL players. And I’m not trying to be disrespectful.”
Nugent-Hopkins is one of their top three-four players – Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Oscar Klefbom.
Dreger thinks their new GM is going to have to get really creative. It’s possible that they could be a free agent player, but they are going to have to move out a bunch of contracts.
“Look at anyone who’s earning around $2 million or 2.5 that’s employed by the Edmonton Oilers – that player is probably going to have to go for next-to-nothing coming back. And that’s difficult to sell. You’d have to be very, very creative.”
Things are very negative in Edmonton right now and they haven’t been able to shake it.