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Gagner, Horcoff, Hemsky, Clutterbuck, Coburn, etc... |
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Lots of rumors out there as to what the Oilers are up to. Of course, there's going to be plenty. This is the week the NHL get its crazy on. Here's some updates:
Sam Gagner
Oilers have made a long-term contract extension offer to him. From what I've heard the two sides are close. So close, in fact, that a new deal could be announced by the end of the day.
Ales Hemsky
As I said yesterday, Oilers will wait until mid-July before dealing him.
Shawn Horcoff
Sounds like there is interest in Horcoff as long as the Oilers are willing to retain part of his cap hit/contract (see new CBA). It's not going to happen. I believe he'll be bought out, because it's the least revolting of all the options.
Cal Clutterbuck
I'm not believing the Clutterbuck for Tyler Pitlick rumors, but only because I don't see why the Wild would deal him. Relatively low cap hit + lotsa hits + some offensive skill too. Pitlick is nowhere near Berlin with respect to development. If the Wild took Pitlick + a 2nd round pick, good for the Oilers.
Braydon Coburn
Flyers management is crazy, so anything could happen, I suppose. My question about this deal has to do with the Flyers needing Braydon Coburn themselves. The guy has a modified NTC, so he could likely rule himself out of a trade to the Oilers, if he wanted to. Is Coburn a 1/2? I keep telling you folks, there's no point in the Oilers dealing for another 3/4/5/6 defenseman, especially one who gets paid $4.5mil per season. And who do the Oilers send back in the deal? Don't say their 1st round pick (7th overall) because that's an overpayment.
You will notice there's a theme with respect to my comments on the Oilers and trades. The Oilers have about 10 guys they aren't going to move. I know how much you people all hate the word "untouchables" so I won't use it. But there definitely is a group of players they're trying to hang on to - Hall, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, Gagner, Yakupov, Paajarvi, Petry, JSchultz, Klefbom, Dubnyk. Unfortunately, if the Oilers want to make a bigger deal happen, they'll likely need to move one or more of these players. There's the rub.
It's not that the Oilers are unaware that the team needs to fill roster spots and find certain pieces. There's just isn't the urgency yet to make risky moves. Those 10 players and the guy coming from the 7th overall draft pick are players that would be only moved as a last resort. Free agency has yet to occur, and the Oilers have Ales Hemsky and two 2nd round draft picks to work with.
What you're going to see this week, if there are Oilers trades, is depth-player stuff. The Oilers have prospects they'd part with - Curtis Hamilton, Ryan Martindale, Tyler Pitlick, Theo Peckham, Alex Plante, Colten Teubert, the rights to Teemu Hartikainen or Linus Omark - Those are the types of players who could go. You won't see Braydon Coburn coming back in a deal moving these guys.
I know...I'm less than fun. Sorry to burst your collective bubbles. I'll be shocked if the Oilers make a deal with week that involves one of the 10 players I named or their 1st round pick.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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