Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The festivities have kicked off in Toronto, and the player draft for the All-Star game took place. It is going to be a fun weekend and the skills competition is up next. However, the buzz around the league is growing and the first big trade took place. Today’s Rumours surround the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Chris Johnston on TSN mentions that the Oilers may look to add offence.
Analysis: One team in Canada has put their chips into the middle of the table. The Vancouver Canucks put together a nice trade package and landed centre Elias Lindholm in a trade with the Calgary Flames. However, another pacific division team could look to gives themselves a boost, as they continue their march up the standings.
Ever since Kris Knoblauch became the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, they have been playing amazing hockey. In fact, they are inches closer to the NHL record for most wins in a row. As great of a story it has been going from a poor start to a historic win streak, the team is looking to add.
Offensively this team packs a punch, as they are led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. According to Johnston, he names potential targets as Jordan Eberle and Jake Guentzel.
This set of NHL Rumours would set off fireworks. Guentzel would be a home run blockbuster trade for the Oilers. He is a point per game player and has been a consistent goal scorer for the Penguins. Guentzel would be a major boost offensively and giving the Oilers a great top two line winger. In addition, he can play in all situations. There is one problem. Nobody knows if the Penguins are going to hold onto Guentzel or opt to move him.
Eberle is a familiar face and a return to the Oilers would be great. He is one year removed from a 63 point season but has only 28 points in 48 games played. Eberle has always shined brightly wherever he has played and gives the Oilers a boost. Seattle does remain in the thick of the playoff race, so hanging onto a reliable Eberle could be in the cards too.
The Oilers just signed Corey Perry and if Evander Kane can elevate his game more, this team will be a force if they add one of the two guys above.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Pierre LeBrun discusses the price to land Chris Tanev
Analysis: The next set of NHL Rumours takes us to Toronto. If is no secret that the Maple Leags have been eyeballing defence. They’ve surrendered 103.66 expected goals against at 5v5 and has allowed 97 goals against. In all situations, that expected number jumps to 150.87 and has allowed 149 goals. Whoever is available, they have kicked the tires to make an upgrade. With the loss of John Klingberg, the hole is open. One player they have been in on is Chris Tanev and LeBrun has the price.
According to LeBrun, the price for Tanev is a second round pick and another asset. That doesn’t sound so steep right? Well, for the Maple Leafs the price got higher. Not because they are another Canadian market but because they don’t have a second round pick.
Brad Treliving is going to have to get creative if he wants to upgrade the blue line. Without a second round pick, adding a first round pick is the only way to lure him out of Calgary. The front office will need to look at whether they want to go for it this season or look to the future. Tanev is in the final year of a contract and is due a hefty raise.
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