NHL Rumors and Video: Edmonton Oilers Edition
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Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli meeting with the media yesterday.

On the Edmonton Oilers …

Bob Stauffer: Think that the best case scenario for success for Nail Yakupov is in the Eastern Conference. Teams that could give him a shot in their top-six could be interested.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: If the Edmonton Oilers trade Nail Yakupov this offseason, they’ll likely try to get a bigger forward who plays a different style than Yakupov – someone like Marcus Foligno – along with a draft pick.

The 22-year old Yakupov needs a change of scenery.

“It’s my favourite game, the only sport I play and you want to push hard. I want to leave everything on the ice but sometimes it was tough when I didn’t have the opportunity to play. Last couple of weeks were pretty good on whatever line.”

“I love this city, it’s like my home, I love the people and played for the fans. Tried to leave everything on the ice for them. I love my team and I love you guys (media), too,” he said, with a laugh.

“But it’s a big business. I’m pretty sure my agent and the team will talk if there’s big moves.”

The Oilers will likely re-sign Eric Gryba, but pending UFAs Adam Cracknall, Adam Pardy and Nikita Nikitin likely won’t be back.

Pending RFAs Zack Kassian and Jordan Oesterle will likely be re-signed.

Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Going off of Elliotte Friedman radio interview last week that for the Oilers to land Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic, it might take a deal involving Oscar Klefbom. If the Oilers made a trade involving Klefbom, it would leave the Oilers a little light on the left side. They may be required to bring in another left-handed defenseman.

“The argument for this is either a) that there’s an especially compelling left-shot option on the trade market, a guy that Edmonton wants anyway or b) the Oilers believe they have a strong shot at a difference-making free agent (Keith Yandle, for example) who plays the left side.”

They can try to improve their blueline and don’t involve Klefbom in a trade.

David Staples: Sounds like GM Peter Chiarelli would prefer to move a forward in a deal for a defenseman.