- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers used Justin Schultz and Oscar Klefbom as their top defensive pairing last season. The Oilers don’t have a legit top 2 defenseman. Getting one in his prime is slim, so they might have to trade for one that is a little older.The Oilers have been eyeing 30-year old Brent Seabrook, who has one-year left on his deal at $5 million. There has been a ‘soft’ interest in 30-year old Dion Phaneuf, who has six years left at a $7 million cap hit.
Matheson thinks they should go after a very good No. 3 defenseman – one who is younger and can play big minutes. The Oilers should contact the Wild, who are looking for a young scorer. The Oilers should make a pitch for Jared Spurgeon, with Wild asking for Nail Yakupov. It would probably take more than just Spurgeon to get Yakupov. Spurgeon has a year left on his deal at a $3.6 million cap hit. He’ll be a RFA after and could be looking for a deal in the $4.5 million range.
Matheson wonders if the Coyotes draft Dylan Strome at No. 3, someone the Maple Leafs are interested in, would the Leafs be interested in trading the No. 4 for Leon Draisaitl? The Oilers could then draft Noah Hanifin or Ivan Provorov. GM Peter Chiarelli may not go for that idea though.
Do the Oilers look at trading their second first round pick, originally the Penguins, for a goalie? Or, do they look to move their second round pick, No. 33, and a player, say Martin Marincin for a goalie.
- Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk: Canadiens Lars Eller when asked if he was happy with his role with the Canadiens this past season.
Q: Were you happy with your role this year?
A:
As a player, you always want more. You’re never satisfied. You always want to play more, you always want to take another step, and I’m still hungry to improve.
- David Pagnotta: A lot teams will be looking to lock up their star players that have one-year left on their contracts around July 1st. Some teams/players have already held preliminary talks. Players like Anze Kopitar, David Backes and Mark Giordano.
- Stephen Whyno: Pending Capitals UFA Mike Green will still get PAID this offseason, but not Jeff Petry PAID. Green is a right handed defenseman who will only turn 30-years old at the start of the season.