On the San Jose Sharks …
Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: (mailbag) The Sharks likely won’t be doing much with two months till the trade deadline. Tomas Hertl is getting ready to return and they can’t really afford to add anyone at the moment. They need to make a roster move or two when Hertl returns to the lineup.
They could look to upgrade their backup goalie at some point. Their current backup, Aaron Dell is a rookie. The Sharks don’t have a lot of cap space and they like the chemistry they have in their dressing room. Unless they have an injury, their roster will won’t be that much different after the trade deadline.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson in the Edmonton Sun: The Oilers will offer pending UFA defenseman Kris Russell a new contract after January 1st.
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Staples thinks the Oilers might be interested in adding Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie over one of their forwards. Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer thinks the Oilers top priority should be a scoring winger. Staples notes the Oilers already have Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Milan Lucic and Jordan Eberle up front.
Barrie has three years left on his deal at a $5.5 million cap hit, and someone the Oilers could use. Barrie could be a second pairing guy, and on the top power play unit.
Would a Jordan Eberle or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins deal work? If the Avs want a Dman included, maybe adding Griffin Reinhart or Eric Gryba work. That type of deal is unlikely though.
Can’t see the Oilers wanting to trade Darnell Nurse for Barrie.
Would an Oscar Klefbom for Barrie work for both teams?