Updated 3:14pm EST

Just read a quote from Oilers GM Steve Tambellini indicating he's not trying to deal Nikolai Khabibulin. Are you cereal?

Almost as funny is Tambi's next comment, saying he expects to get calls inquiring about Khabibulin. You've got to be kidding. The only call I'd expect regarding Khabby is Jay Feaster, and perhaps Dean Lombardi, calling to rub in that the Oilers are stuck with a boat anchor with a $3.75mil cap hit next season.

Another interesting story that is quickly unfolding...It's being confirmed that the Rangers are talking to the Jackets about Rick Nash. I agree with Eklund's Twitter post on this one...a Nash deal, if it happens, will happen quickly. Next few days.

Updated 2:30pm EST

The Toronto Maple Leafs have called up Keith Aulie as Carl Gunnarsson is placed on the IR. Perhaps there is more to it than that? Oilers players and management are making it sound like Ales Hemsky could be dealt at any minute. Is there a possible connection? Stay tuned.

My blog from about 30 minutes ago...

A stack of quotes appearing on Twitter right now regarding the Oilers position going into the trade deadline.

1. "I have no plans to move Ryan Smyth. Ryan has made it clear that he wants to stay here and play for the Oilers." - GM Tambellini

I guess that means Smyth is not available. Good for the Oilers, keeping their word on this subject. Smyth has been an all-around good egg for the team this season, and sooner or later, the team needs to send the message that the Oilers is an honorable franchise.

2. "I'm not looking to sell anything that hurts our future." - GM Tambellini on the looming trade deadline on Feb. 27

In other words, you can take Sam Gagner and Magnus Paajarvi off the list of players who are available. I pretty much figured as much. It would be stupid for the Oilers to move kids, as the idea is to build for the future...building takes time and commitment. Gagner is just now really finding his A game, and Paajarvi is a work in progress. Again, good on you, Tambellini.

3. "He's been a good player for the Oilers, and we'll see what happens." - GM Tambellini when asked about potentially trading Ales Hemsky

This translated means the Oilers are in talks with Ales Hemsky, and are open to re-signing him if the deal is favorable to the team. If the two sides can`t reach a deal, the Oilers likely have a destination or two to choose from, considering a different Tambellini comment from today.

4. "It was very quiet around all-star time, but conversation seems to be a little bit more intense this week." - #Oilers GM Steve Tambellini

If Gagner, Paajarvi and Smyth are being kept, and if Andy Sutton has been taken off the board, just who is Tambellini talking about? Ales Hemsky. Cam Barker. Darcy Hordichuk. Theo Peckham. Eric Belanger. Nikolai Khabibulin. Maybe Linus Omark. Maybe Lennart Petrell. He also could be referring to contract negotiations for a player like Hemsky. A bit of an open ended comment that can be interpreted a few different ways.


So there you have it, Oilers fans. Finally some clarity, Steve Tambellini-style. I don`t think you need to worry about taking the day off on February 27th, as a big pile of not much is going to happen.

That being said, I completely agree with Tambellini`s apparent position. Let`s hope some deadwood gets shipped and the Oilers get something reasonable for Hemsky.

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