Trade Deadline Day is almost here and the rumours are running out of control right now as NHL teams try to load up or unload their rosters depending on where they sit in the Playoff race. Naturally the Oilers are sellers but the team has gotten to the point where over the last several years they have already moved the valuable pieces they were willing to part with. All that’s really left are the undesirables who will be nobody’s first choice.
Still though, there is mounting speculation as to where several Oilers on the market may end up going and for what price. This is a bit of a rundown of the speculation so far and what I think we can expect from the Oilers most likely tradable assets.
GAGNER
49GP, 6-19-25, 18.14 TOI/G, Corsi% 43.8, Most Common Linemates: Yakupov, Perron
By most accounts the deal that almost brought Sam to California is dead. The Kings were absolutely desperate for scoring before the Olympics but maybe seeing all those LA Kings score for their respective countries was what the Kings needed most of all. Los Angeles still needs higher end LWs but it doesn’t look like Gagner will be the guy doing it for them.
At this point it seems as though we will make it to the Draft with Gagner on the Oilers. If he makes it into the summer then his NTC kicks in. It’s likely for the best. The Oilers would really be selling low after the year that 89 has had. This is a guy who can bounce back and play better than he has to date.
BELOV
48GP, 1-5-6, 17:39 TOI/G, Corsi% 46.5, Most Common Partner: Justin Schultz
He was being used as trade bait according to Jim Matheson but a partially torn oblique muscle will have him out for a couple of weeks. That really puts a damper on any trade talk. Some team would really have to have fallen in love with him at the Olympics for there to be an offer now. I don’t see it happening, but I think the most they would have gotten for him was a 3rd or 4th round pick.
JONES
41GP, 2-4-6, 10:30 TOI/G, Corsi% 42.9, Most Common Linemates: Gordon, Gazdic
Not hearing a lot about this player moving on but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. Pretty much since Hendricks was acquired Jones has been playing with a more noticeable physical edge. If I can see it, NHL teams can see it. He would be a cheap addition for anyone looking for depth in their bottom 6. I can see the Oilers landing a pick in the 4th-5th Round for him. Nothing more.
BRYZGALOV
19GS .908sv% 3.01GAA 5W-8L-5OT
The only reputable source with a Bryz rumour I have seen had the Oilers offering Bryz to the Wild. The Wild are also attempting to get Brodeur (from what has been reported elsewhere) so Bryz would be the consolation prize if that falls through. Bryz isn’t a bad bet for someone like Tampa who is one injury away from pinning their playoff aspirations on Kristers Gudlevskis (of the Flying Gudlevskis Brothers Travelling Circus And Tupperware Show). What would the Oilers want back? 3rd round pick or middling Forward prospect is my best guess.
NICK SCHULTZ
59GP, 0-4-4, 16:57 TOI/G, Corsi% 41, Most Common Partner: Justin Schultz
Word is that Boston had sent scouts to watch Schultz the Elder for 2 games. Lord knows what they could possibly have seen from him but perhaps they went away thinking “Yeah, he was bad in Edmonton on their top (?!) pair, but on the Bruins he’d be a 6-7 guy.… The price for Defensemen is weird. I think the Oilers could even potentially con some poor sucker into a 2nd Rounder for him if the conditions line up for it. What’s he actually worth? I have no clue. I would take the 1st offer that was presented that didn’t see the Oil take back a contract.
The NHL is a league where Defensemen get 3rd, 4th, and 5th chances to prove themselves despite their struggles. Remember, Cam Barker played NHL games after his time with the Oilers. Schultz could easily be afforded those same chances.
Tom Gilbert plays 20+ minutes a night, has 27 points, and has a 53.2 Corsi%. I don’t know why I was compelled to write that…
SMYTH
52GP, 8-12-20, 15:30 TOI/G, Corsi% 47, Most Common Linemates: Gordon, Hemsky
Smyth will retire an Oiler, but he might leave for the rest of this season to be on a contender. The Oilers have a lot of loyalty towards this man and I believe they’ve gone to him and let him know that a few teams are interested in him. Since he left once already it wont kill me to see him go again, and in fact I hope he does go somewhere and wins the Cup.
He’s still a big body in front of the net who can play on the 2nd unit PP, the PK, and not hurt you in the bottom 6. He brings versatility and experience to any potential team that wants him. I’m clouded by my own affinity for Smytty but my asking price would depend on how badly Smyth wants to go somewhere else to win. I’m sappy like that.
HEMSKY
54GP, 7-17-24, 16:02 TOI/G, Corsi% 47.3, Most Common Linemates: Gordon, Gagner
Based on the all the talk, we can take it to the bank that Hemsky will be moved. Matheson has Ales Hemsky going to the Coyotes with whom he’s been a point per game in competition against. The silky smooth winger still shows flashes of brilliance with puck but he isn’t the player he once was. A note about his Corsi%, it’s the 2nd highest among Oiler Forwards. Traded at the peak of his value and the Oilers could have had a haul for him, but now they’re fighting to get a 2nd round pick.
Now pundits have been wrong in the past about Oiler player’s value on the market (remember that Penner wasn’t supposed to even get a 1st Rounder) but this time around I also struggle to see how they could get more than a 2nd for him. Sigh. I’m gonna miss that guy.
Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy