- John Shannon: While no trade offers are being considered at the moment, have been told that there are no “untouchables” on the Oilers roster.
- Mark Spector of Sportsnet: Trade rumors are surrounding Taylor Hall, and he was asked if he was ready to ride things out with the Oilers.
“Absolutely,” he said to a media scrum. “I’ve said this off-camera to many people: It would be a shame to leave the group now. It wouldn’t feel right. It wouldn’t be a good feeling to leave the group in the stage we’re at. We want to make it to the final stage; we want to be a contending team in this league.”
Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may only get moved if they ask to be moved. Jordan Eberle may be traded to improve their blueline and to maybe bring in a goalie.
- Steve Burtch of Sportnet: Holiday wish lists for some Eastern Conference teams.
Boston Bruins – Scoring winger like: Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford, Joffrey Lupul, Tomas Fleischmann or Brad Boyes.
Buffalo Sabres – moving out some of their more expensive veterans.Detroit Red Wings – could really use a top-four, right-handed defenseman and will be watching pending UFAs like: Mike Green, Cody Franson and Jeff Petry. Tyler Myers is also an option.
New York Islanders – could possibly use a second pairing defenseman.
- Nichols on Hockey: Pierre LeBruin on TSN Radio on the Oilers and Taylor Hall.
“Well, it’s popping up because it’s media-driven and it’s also driven by other teams that are hoping. It hasn’t been driven by anyone inside the Oilers management group. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen at some point. I think that if and when Hall is ever put out there, it’s going to be in the off-season, because that’s the only way you can make that deal.”
“I don’t think Nugent-Hopkins will ever be put out there. I mean, just from the pure fact that he’s their only centre right now, until you wait for Draisaitl to develop.
“And Eberle for sure, at some point, they’d be willing to move, if not right now. But because he hasn’t been that good, I’m not sure what the return is right now, mid-season.
- James Mirtle: The crashing Russian economy may force three KHL teams to fold. Some coaches haven’t been paid. Not exactly sure which teams, but best guesses would be Atlant, Bratislava and Riga. Sources confirming that players on those teams haven’t been paid: “Roughly one-third of KHL has serious problems.”
