Talked to a source today regarding the Edmonton Oilers who told me something I had yet to hear elsewhere: "Be prepared for some 'shock and awe' stuff out of the Oilers at the Draft. They are looking hard at several scenarios to help improve via trade and for the first time a good number of them include Taylor Hall," the source confirmed to me via phone.
Now were it me, I would be protecting only three players in Edmonton: Connor McDavid, Hall, and Jordan Eberle. I would try to get better defensively by possibly moving Nail Yakupov, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, or even possibly (although I would try not to move him) Leon Draisaitl.
My source's reaction to that statement was as follows, "Don't get me wrong, they would like to keep Hall, but the rise of Draisaitl has made them at least open to consideration and the value for Hall is VERY high in comparison to everyone except for obviously McDavid."
The source agreed with me that Eberle was likely to stay put adding, "His value is greater than on the scoresheet."
My source went on to say that the Oilers would be looking to add character D-men and at least one gritty, established Center...
I will have more on this situation when I begin my offseason "Rumor Previews" of teams who find themselves out of the playoffs.
What's the Buzz?
Who do you think the Oilers should definitely keep on their team moving forward?
We will discuss all this and more (including the ever tightening playoff races) on today's HockeyBuzzCast Live.
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