It's funny...lately whenever my Hockeybuzz Overlord (Ek) mentions a potential deal involving the Oilers, I get emails and messages from folks asking me to shoot his rumors down. Not a very comfortable position to put me in, folks. Even though a number of you speculate that Eklund has no connections and makes stuff up, I can confirm that the man actually does speak to many people in the hockey world, and does post rumors based on those discussions (E3).
In short, if Eklund says a number of teams are talking about trying to acquire Hemsky, I believe him. I will look at the teams Eklund has posted as potential destinations for Hemsky in a second.
The one thing that isn't said when rumors like this are posted is the "who". For example, who is starting a conversation between the Oilers and Habs? Or worded a different way, are the Oilers calling teams attempting to deal Hemsky, or are teams calling the Oilers because they know Hemsky is perhaps a player the Oilers would consider moving because of the rebuild?
What I can tell you with certainty is that the Oilers ARE NOT shopping Ales Hemsky. Steve Tambellini, however, is taking calls inquiring about Hemsky's potential availability. One disgruntled GM said in the media recently that Tambellini is currently asking for a ridiculous return, hence why Hemsky has yet to be dealt. It's somewhat like the conversations Edmonton and LA were having before the trade deadline last season. The Kings attempted to acquire Hemsky, and the Oilers would not take a deal unless it included Brayden Schenn. If a team called the Oilers this moment and offered a prospect as highly considered as Schenn is, the Oilers would deal Hemsky. Otherwise, Hemsky is staying put.
So let's get back to Eklund's rumor. Four teams are asking about Hemsky. Eklund identified the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche. Considering what I know about the Oilers needs and the teams involved, allow me to speculate as to what the Oilers would ask for in a Hemsky deal.
New York Islanders - The Isles are a team on the edge right now. They have so much young talent...the playoffs should be a real possibility this season, and adding Hemsky would bring them that much closer. There is pressure to make the playoffs, as the fan base that is left is losing patience. I believe the Oilers would ask for the Isles 1st Overall pick in 2012, knowing the Isles could finish as high as the playoffs, or as low as a lottery pick. Young teams come with no guarantees, and next year's draft is stacked with top-end defensive prospects. The name that jumps out to me on the Islanders prospect list is Calvin de Haan. Like I said, the Oilers are asking a redonkulous amount for Hemsky. A 1st and de Haan for Hemsky is about as redonkulous as you can get. Keep in mind that the Islanders are not going to deal a bigger contract, as they are so far below the cap floor right now.
Montreal Canadiens - The Canadiens don't have a big stack of prospects that would interest the Oilers, and unlike the Islanders, the Canadiens are well over the cap floor...meaning, they'd want to move some salaries. The Habs are definitely a playoff team in 2012, so their 1st round pick wouldn't have the same appeal as would the one from the Islanders. The Oilers want size on the wings...so let's suggest Hemsky to the Habs for their 1st + 2nd round picks in 2012, plus Max Pacioretty.
Vancouver Canucks - Obviously the player the Oilers would want from the Canucks is goaltender Cory Scheinder. The other name I will throw into this is a gritty forward: Mason Raymond. Did I mention how much the Oilers want teams to overpay for Hemsky right now? Don't get mad at me and call me a "Homer" for overvaluing Hemsky. The names I am listing is not what I'd give or expect for Hemsky. This is what the Oilers would be seeking, just because they are under absolutely no pressure to deal Hemsky at this time. They can afford to ask for the moon.
Colorado Avalanche - I am going to throw out the suggestion of a potential blockbuster here. The Avs (I was told by an Avs fan to stop referring to them as the "Lanche" because it made him nuts) have plenty of depth at center, so they can afford to move someone significant. They also are below the cap floor, so they need salary. So what if the deal here would be something like Ales Hemsky, Andrew Cogliano and Tom Gilbert for Paul Stastny? Think about it: In Stastny, the Oil would be getting a #1 center. The Avs would be moving Stastny to free up the log jam at center (and also because Statsny is known to have on-going injury issues, much like Hemsky). Didn't the Oilers get Gilbert from Colorado in the first place? And the Oilers would throw in a third asset in Cogliano - A center would could find a role on the third line in Colorado.
I will remind you one last time that this isn't me saying, "this is what I think Hemsky is worth." This is me providing guesses as to what the Oilers would want if they would make the decision to deal Ales Hemsky. Aside from the fact the Hemmer is a solid hockey player, he's also a good soldier who is loyal to Edmonton and the team. They are in no rush to deal him, and won't do so up until the trade deadline, unless a deal too good to resist comes along.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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