I by no means am an insider but every once in awhile I do hear things. Here are a few rumours and rumblings I have heard over the last couple of weeks involving the Edmonton Oilers. Enjoy.
- Edmonton has been actively scouting the Philadelphia Flyers. The biggest name circling the web here is Justin Braun. The 35 year old has one year left on his contract at 1.8 million and plays on the right side in the top four for Philly. This is the name Edmonton is pursuing the most. Another name that has been looked at in far more in passing is Derick Brassard who has played very little due to injury. I see this as a depth bottom six option that would cost very little. I’ve heard Josh Archibald attached to Philly as well.
- Martin Jones was once heavily tied to Edmonton but those talks have gone ice cold. I don’t see the Oilers going after a goalie anymore.
- Another team Edmonton has scouted actively is the Winnipeg Jets and the name I keep hearing is Andrew Copp. Copp is a great player and caused the Oilers nothing but grief in the post season last year. Kailer Yamamoto would almost certainly have to be one of the pieces going the other way in such a trade. Bringing in Copp would be a risk as a pending UFA they could lose him for nothing while Yamamoto is an RFA but Copp is a seasoned version of what I believe Yammo is at his peak.
- I also know Logan Stanley is a player Edmonton likes but Winnipeg isn’t overly interested in moving him at this point.
- Philip Broberg is no longer as untouchable as he once was within the organization. Take that as you will.
- Lots of talk about the future of Ken Holland in Edmonton. The consensus appears to be that if the Oilers miss the post season he will be out as GM but that may not mean he is out of the organization. Some chatter that Holland could be “promoted… to President of Hockey Operations in the role currently held by Bob Nicholson.
Enjoy the game tonight!