So do you want the good news or the bad news?
Actually, I lied. There really isn't good news or bad news. Here's what we know as of now:
- Jarome Iginla has been dealt to the Boston Bruins. TSN is reporting the return to Calgary will be Matt Bartkowski, Alex Khokhlachev and a conditional first-round draft pick. I am guessing the pick is conditional on Iginla signing a contract extension.
- The Bruins have checked on Ryan Whitney's health situation, and there's a strong possibility he'll become a member of the team over the next 24 hours.
- Rumors have been circulating all day about a bigger deal occurring between the Oilers and Bruins. One rumor earlier in the day said it was Hemsky + Whitney. Later, it was Paajarvi + Whitney.
- You don't have to be a scientist to understand what the Oilers would want from the Bruins roster if they could have anyone. Milan Lucic. The Beast from the East is everything in a forward the Oilers don't have, and rumors have existed for weeks now that the Bruins are unhappy with Lucic's performance this season.
- To land Lucic, the Oilers would need to do something bold. Further to this, Oilers management are in a place where they have finally crossed the line in angering fans. Oilers radio personality Dan Tencer made comments recently after an Oilers home loss suggesting fans shouldn't be booing the team. His comments were seriously not that bad, but the fan base went crazy on him.
I believe team management...and perhaps more importantly, team ownership, realizes the team's continuing underperformance needs to end, because the fans are turning on the franchise. With respect to the Oilers forwards, they have too many of the same type of player. Yakupov, Hemsky, Gagner, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins...All small skilled forwards. In the Oilers Top 6, there really is no beef to speak of. Magnus Paajarvi, when he's in the Top 6, has size, but is not a physical player. If the Oilers make any sort of move of significance, of course it's for Lucic.
What also makes this a viable rumor is the cap number for the Bruins. Provided Iggy is re-signed, which is the plan, the Bruins will be pushed next season to a position where they are dangerously close to the cap level. Over it, actually, when you factor in Iggy's contract (think $7mil per season) and the re-signing of Tuukka Rask (likely $5mil+ per season).
Iginla and Lucic are more similar types of player than any of the Oilers small skilled guys. Replacing Lucic with Iginla makes some sense if you believe Iginla will bring intensity that Lucic does not possess.
The Bruins have a history of taking a gamble in making deals for draft picks (see the Kessel deal), and may feel the Oilers could be giving up a Top 5 pick in a great draft year. From the Oilers perspective, adding Lucic immediately improves their chances of making the playoffs this season. Keep in mind the Oilers tend to lose when they play against bigger, more physical teams. Lucic can eat the rest of the division for breakfast.
It is believed the Flames/Bruins deal will be announced tonight. It is possible the Oilers, if they have a deal for Lucic or even if they just are moving Whitney to Boston for a draft pick, will make the deal after Danny DeKeyser announces where he intends to sign.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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