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Would the Oilers Frolic with Frolik? |
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Follow me on Twitter: @rdcloutier
Credit goes to Chicago Blackhawks blogger John Jaeckel with breaking this one: The Hawks are looking for a defenseman, and they might deal Michal Frolik to make it happen. Jaeckel mentioned a potential Edmonton connection to this. Allow me to throw in my two cents.
As far as Frolik goes, he's 23, he has some size (6'1", 198lbs), and he's had a few 40+pts/20+goal seasons (with Florida, not since he's been in Chicago). His contract has two more seasons on it after this year, and it ends with him continuing to be a RFA...meaning, he'd be our player for a few years if we acquired him. His points production has seriously dropped off in Chicago...not sure exactly why. Could be because he doesn't get enough minutes or chances to play in offensive situations? Depth is pretty solid on that team. His contract pays him a healthy amount of dough: $2.33mil cap hit.
That's the skinny on Frolik. Not exactly a reclamation project, but certainly a player who has seen a downturn over the last two seasons. A fresh start for Frolik on a team that could play him on the 2nd line could make all the difference.
Chicago wants D. Let's play the process of elimination game, keeping in mind the Hawks are contenders and will clearly be gunning for a cup. The Oilers won't deal Ladislav Smid, let's start there. I'm not sure they'd deal Tom Gilbert either. I can't see anyone bidding on Ryan Whitney considering his health situation, and I'm not sure the Oil want to move Corey Potter considering his level of play in relation to his contract size. Cam Barker? The Hawks just got rid of him, so he's out. So who's left?
1. Jeff Petry - I'm not feeling this one. Frolik is a player on the decline who needs a turn-around in play. Petry is a young defenseman just trying to find his way. The Oilers management love Petry's potential, and see future Top 4 in him. Considering Frolik's contract amount and where his game is at, I see Petry for Frolik as an overpayment, and is just something Oilers management would not be willing to do. Pass.
2. Theo Peckham - This is possible. With Whitney being back and both Barker and Gilbert being close to returning, the Oilers will need to either move someone or send someone down. As pointed out to me on the weekend, Petry has played enough NHL games that he'd need to clear waivers now if he was demoted. I don't see the Oilers demoting Peckham or Petry if it means they would be giving one away...so that means a deal is coming. But Peckham for Frolik? What else would the Oilers need to throw in to make that happen? And would Peckham actually improve the Hawks chances? Maybe Peckham and a 2nd round pick gets it done.
3. Andy Sutton - If you're pointing to your nose, you're doing the right thing. Sutton's value in the trade market has suddenly shot up thanks to supply and demand. Solid rental that absolutely would improve the Hawks for a cup run. I asked this question for Peckham, so I'll ask it with Sutton: Would Sutton for Frolik, straight up, work for both teams? I'm thinking because of Frolik's age, the Oil would need to kick in 4th round draft pick.
Here's one alternative theory on the situation...
The Hawks have cap room, and they are gearing up for a major cup run. So could two Oiler rentals, Ales Hemsky AND Andy Sutton, be packaged together for Chicago? Frolik would be one piece the Oil would get in return. Maybe Frolik and a 1st? Maybe Frolik, Kyle Beach and a 1st? Hard to exactly know what Hemsky's asking price is right now. Apparently numerous teams are kicking his tires, but I've heard no concrete info on what offers could look like. If the Oilers managed to extract any prospect out of Chicago, I'd want defenseman Dylan Olsen...but Jaeckel doesn't believe Olsen is available.
Trade Rumor Smack Talk, Cloutier Style
By the way, I've read over the last 24 everyone saying Hemsky+ to Nashville for Jon Blum and their 1st in 2012. That's my "rumor", if you want to call it that. And it wasn't a "rumor"; I suggested it could be a plausible trade scenario a few days before everyone else started running with the idea.
It's funny...I get ripped all the time...yesterday it was my usual most annoying Blog Troll suggesting all I do is listen to Team 1260 and re-write what they say, taking credit for their work. Of course that isn't the case. When I complain about people like said Blog Troll, I get told I'm just a blogger, that I have no right to complain, and to shut up.
Hey, when I come up with a reasonable concept like the Blum thing that everyone in local media, and now national media is running with, blog trolls don't exactly spend all day talking about where the idea originated. It's not like the suggestion was a piece of brilliance or anything. Truth be told, people who follow the game daily, be it writers, reporters, bloggers, or fans...all can come to similar conclusions and make similar predictions. This isn't rocket surgery, folks. It's just hockey.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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