Two weeks to go before the NHL Trade Deadline. What's that I hear?

Silence. No big deals so far.

So, is this it? No. There will be deals sooner or later.

Not sure what's happening in Oilerville right now. Approximately 24 hours ago, Nick Kypreos Tweeted that the Oilers are close to re-signing defenseman Andy Sutton to a one year deal. Fast-forward to now, and there's still no official word from Sutton or the team. But that being said, Oilers guru Bob Stauffer indicated on his Twitter page that a Sutton deal is 95% the way there, and that he'll be staying. An official announcement could happen at any time.

Everything else we know is speculative. Or in other words, what I can offer you folks is opinions based on my observations and intuition.

- There has been absolutely nothing appearing to suggest the Oilers have yet attempted to re-sign winger Ales Hemsky. Hemsky sounded like someone who wanted to remain in Edmonton the other day when he mentioned during an interview that Oilers management had yet to offer him a long-term extension. As we all know, Senators GM Bryan Murray suffers from a condition called "Spillage". What that means is, he can't stop himself from saying stuff to the media. Murray said last week the asking price was too high for quality rentals. Reading between the lines, the Oilers are seeking a prospect and a 1st for Hemsky. Hence why a deal hasn't happened yet.

- Speaking of Hemsky and his asking price, everyone keeps saying, "the Oilers will deal him for a defenseman!" No, they won't...or at least, the defenseman they get won't be an immediate Top 4 player. The team that takes a chance on Hemsky will be one in fine playoff shape, and teams like that aren't going to mess with their D right before the playoffs. You could see a team give up a defenseman like Jon Blum, but only because he's not immediately important to the Preds playoff potential this season. The return on Hemsky will be better than the "only a 2nd round pick" some people are suggesting, but I can't see a prospect AND a 1st either.

- The Sutton signing; one that took place not so far removed from the Corey Potter re-signing...tells me Theo Peckham is being shopped at the deadline, and Cam Barker won't be brought back next season. The Oilers could have as many as four defensemen go to the AHL from Junior next season, meaning the team will need to make some room and lose some contracts. Taylor Fedun, Colten Teubert, Taylor Chorney and Alex Plante could all challenge for the #7 D job in Edmonton, considering the first six spots will belong to Whitney, Gilbert, Smid, Sutton, Petry and Potter. Peckham could be dealt for a pick, or he could be included in a deal.

- Nikolai Khabibulin is being shopped, although I have no idea just which team would take him. I've heard the Chicago rumor, which sorta makes sense I guess. Is Ray Emery really that bad as a backup? I was checking the injury list and Florida has two goalies out, what about them? Or maybe Tampa is interested? The market for washed up, unpredictable goaltenders just isn't what it use to be.

- I have yet to hear any information indicating the Oilers are actually shopping Eric Belanger. You'd think they'd shop him, as he's been a train wreck...but I've actually heard nothing to suggest he is on the block. Sorry.

- Sam Gagner deals won't go away, because people are stupid. I hear things like, "trade Gagner for Bogosian!" Why? Gagner has shown signs of brilliance this season, and Bogosian has had another bad year. If Magnus Paajarvi's improved play sticks, and if the Oilers were to draft a big forward in June (think Filip Forsberg), their Top 6 would be set going forth with Gagner well in the mix. Hall/Nuge/Eberle on Line 1, and Paajarvi/Gagner/Forsberg on Line 2. What's not to like? Even if the Oil were considering moving Gagner, they would do it this summer, and not now. No reason to move him now, especially with Nuge's health in question.

- One of these days I'm going to go Jason Gregor on you people who keep insisting the Oilers need to draft a defenseman with their first pick. Gregor has this thing on his radio show where he's pointed out about 100 times that defensemen picked in the Top 5 don't really develop any better than defensemen taken later in the draft. Forwards taken in the Top 5, on the other hand...way easier to predict. If the Oilers deal Hemsky for a mid-to-late 1st round pick, the Oilers will use their picks to take 1 D and 1 F.

- Ryan Smyth's name keeps coming up as a player the Oilers could possibly deal. All I've heard about him is, he hasn't been asked yet if he'd go along with a deal, and that he'd likely say no if he was asked. Oilers options at the deadline just keep shrinking.

- One final note on the Oilers and the deadline: I wouldn't expect a big, dumb trade to occur. Two big names rumored to be available are Jeff Carter and Rick Nash. I can't see the Oilers having any interest in Carter, but Nash is exciting to consider. Thing is, what exactly would a Nash deal look like? The Oilers aren't going to move Hall, Eberle or Nuge. Does the Oilers 1st plus Sam Gagner get you Nash? Thinking not. The Jackets have a few Gagner-level offensive threats on their team. If Nash is shopped, they want big potential in return. So does that mean the Oilers 1st, Oscar Klefbom and Magnus Paajarvi? I'm not sure I'd do that deal. See, that's the problem: I have no desire to move any of our kids. Plus Nash has a huge cap hit.

We're better to be patient, and for the most part, we're better off if the Trade Deadline is a very quiet one for Edmonton.

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