Sam Gagner to the Maple Leafs trade rumors? Shot down tonight by Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer on Twitter.
Ales Hemsky to Ottawa? Once again, shot down by Stauffer. It's not so much that Hemsky to Ottawa is impossible. Stauffer believes Hemsky's value will be higher if the Oilers wait to deal him this summer, after the UFA rush is over.
Oh, and Craig MacTavish's media availability on Tuesday? Isn't to announce Gagner signing or any deals. The Tuesday media day is standard Oilers practice before they head out to attend out to participate in the entry draft.
Bubble bursted?
I didn't like the "trade Gagner" rumor much, especially the initial version of it, suggesting Dion Phaneuf would be the asset coming back. As for the Hemsky rumor, Oilers fans are going to need to accept the return for him isn't going to be what we had in mind at all.
Maybe it's in the Oilers best interest not to make deals yet. Hey, you might remember the blog I posted a few days ago, saying Oilers fans are going to just need to be patient?
It really doesn't sound like the Oilers have any big deals about to be announced. What we do know is Shawn Horcoff and agent are out there trying to find a suitable deal. "Suitable" in Oilers-speak means the team won't get struck with a bad contract coming back.
If Gagner is sticking around, and it sounds like he is, the Oil don't have many big pieces to offer other teams in order to make a big deal. What they do have is six guys who are untouchables...seven if you include Gagner, which he should be if they re-up him on a long-term deal this week. I don't believe the Oilers are eager to deal Magnus Paajarvi or Jeff Petry either, and they'll use their draft pick...So make it a list of 10 guys likely not going anywhere. Well, that's half a team.
There's still six more days until the draft, so I'm sure there will be a good dozen goofy rumors between now and then. But for now, at least...for today, at least...Sam Gagner is safe.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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