Without intending disrespect to Travis Yost, who just wrote a blog on this very subject, I do believe the Oilers could make use of Antero Niittymaki more than the Senators. For those of you who missed today's big(?) NHL news, the San Jose Sharks have placed goaltender Niittymaki on waiver.

Here's the skinny on Niittymaki: Aside from having a name that is practically impossible to spell, 31 year-old Niittymaki has played in 234 NHL games, and has a lifetime 2.95GAA with a .902 Save Percentage. Okay, so he's not exactly the Dominator, but he can't play any worse than Khabibulin has been doing lately either. Niitymaki has one year left on his $2mil per season contract, and is due to become a UFA on July 1.

So can we expect the Oilers to put a waiver claim in on the goalie? Not likely. Not impossible, but not likely.

Here's the thing: There were some rumors floating a few weeks ago that a couple of teams were interested in acquiring Nikolai Khabibulin. I don't believe the rumors, because of his contract. After this season, he still has one year to go at $3.75mil. This being said, the Oilers have made "negative value" trades before that have worked out well. For example, the Oilers sent the overpaid and under-performing Kurtis Foster to the Ducks for Andy Sutton. Sutton has worked out very well, and there is a good chance he'll be re-signed at a lower price by the Oilers over the summer.

Would the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are experiencing brutal goaltending issues this season, be interested in Khabibulin? The Jackets have a few contracts that are worthy of dumpage. RJ Umberger, Antoine Vermette and Derick Brassard all have multi-year $3mil+ contracts, and all have 20 points or less this season. Defenseman Marc Methot has several years left on his $3mil per season deal, and his numbers stink too. For a last-place team, the Jackets spend a ton of money, being very close to the cap. Of course, the Oil might need to throw a prospect or draft pick in to make this work. All I am saying is, if the Oilers deal Khabibulin, fans should expect a bad taste in their mouth afterward. Hence why they might be better off not to move him.

What's more likely if the Oilers were to pick up Niittymaki is they'd send Khabibulin down. This is always an ugly situation, when a vet gets sent away, even though he'll get paid the big bucks no matter where he plays. Like I said, Niitymaki to Edmonton is doubtful, but not impossible. As bad as Khabibulin has been lately, we know the guy has game. Remember the first 14 games this season? We need that goalie back more than we need Niitymaki.

Other Oiler Trade Rumors

- Ales Hemsky's performance last night might have opened a few eyes. Outside of Taylor Hall, Hemsky was the next most brilliant. But the second Hemsky starts playing like that, I start hating the idea of the Oilers dealing him. We know if we do, the Oilers won't get an asset nearly as talented back.

Last night's game could have been an audition for Hemsky in Vancouver. Perhaps they'd be willing to move gritty forward Mason Raymond to add Hemsky for their cup run? The Oilers also could have interest in goaltending prospect Eddie Lack, who is considered by many as deserving of a back-up job in the NHL. Lack has little opportunity to play in the NHL with the tandem already in place in Vancouver.

- The San Jose Sharks could also have an interest in Hemsky, and perhaps Andy Sutton as a rental. The injury to Brent Burns is fairly serious from what I've read.

- All of this being said, I'm starting to wonder if Hemsky and the Oilers will surprise us all, and the winger will be re-signed by the team. I have no information suggesting this will happen; it's just a gut feeling. If the Oilers have Hall-Nuge-Eberle as a 1st line, and Smyth-Horcoff-Hemsky as a 2nd line, the situation at forward really isn't that bad in Edmonton for the next few seasons. Or at least, the Top 6 looks good. The Bottom 6 still needs a little work. Jones is good, and I like Lander and Petrell. The other three I'm not as sure about.

- I've had it suggested to me numerous times that the Oilers should move Ryan Whitney. His foot/ankle injury situation is somewhat comparable in severity to what Peter Forsberg experienced during his career, so it's hard to see many teams wanting to deal for Whitney. Here's hoping he can adjust to his current health situation and that he can find a way to play through the pain. If he's playing well, the last thing the Oilers should do is deal him. He looked pretty good during his first game back last night in Vancouver.

- For those of you who think the Tim Thomas White House snub was insignificant, check out the brief story on the TSN website that suggests the Bruins could deal Thomas at the trade deadline. Management and ownership is extremely unimpressed with him, and they feel back-up Tuukka Rask is ready for a prime-time job.

- Don't count out a possible rental deal involving Ryan Smyth just yet. Word is, if the winger is willing to be moved at the deadline, there would be more interest in him than in Hemsky. Of course, Smyth would need to be willing to be rented out, and he definitely wants to re-sign with the Oilers during the summer. If the Oilers moved both Smyth and Hemsky as rentals, it would be interesting if they could create a situation where they get three picks in the first round of the 2012 entry draft.

- When Nuge returns to action after the All Star break, look for plenty of rumors involving Sam Gagner, Shawn Horcoff or Eric Belanger. Gagner is definitely the most marketable of the three, but he's likely the guy they'd have the hardest time letting go of. Horcoff's contract...well, you know the situation there.

- The Oilers today sent to the AHL Magnus Paajarvi, Teemu Hartikainen and Taylor Chorney. So much for your All Star break vacation, fellas. When the Oilers get back together after their vacation, don't be surprised if Tyler Pitlick gets a call up. His stats aren't great, but the Oilers, now that the season now officially is a mess, have an opportunity to give a look to several prospects in their system. Pitlick could be a fit as the eventual 2nd line center with size, or as a big right-winger for the 3rd line. I suspect as soon as Linus Omark has a few games in OKC under his belt he'll also get a call-up and a look from the big club.

- Winger Phillippe Cornet is having a big season in OKC. 20 goals in 36 games is nothing to sneeze at. Why hasn't he earned a call-up to Edmonton yet?

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