These rumours are the ones we’ve heard about from the last week and from the weeks’ before. Along with the rumours are some signings and trades. I’ve added some tidbits in there that may hint to future trades.
James Reimer to Edmonton?
The pro scout meetings are coming up for the Edmonton Oilers (as confirmed by Ken Holland last week) and we know the Oilers have an eye out for where they need help. It does seem like the trade interests the Oilers had in the position of need may have changed.
After seeing the great play of Stuart Skinner in the last two months (where he has gone 18–3–0), the Oilers are now on the look out for a 1B goaltender and not a starting goalie. Now this is where certain goaltenders come into question. The goalie that is most likely the Oilers #1 target is James Reimer. He plays for the Detroit Red Wings and he’s on a cheap contract. He’s also a veteran and he’d be a good mentor for Skinner. It sounds like Edmonton was scouting him tonight in Toronto. The Red Wings ended up winning 4–2 and Reimer had a decent game.
It does sound like the Oilers’ scout was there to watch Reimer and Daniel Sprong. Sprong would be an intriguing addition as he can play top six and bottom six. He brings the speed needed for the Oilers second line with Leon Draisaitl. He’s on pace for another 20-goal season and he fits the mold the Oilers are looking for. He’s at a decent price, fast, skilled, and good both offensively and defensively. He’s basically a swiss army knife like Warren Foegele but with a better scoring touch. Ken Holland has good relations with Detroit so I would say there is definite interest. But, Detroit is doing pretty good this season. Therefore, I think it would take a pretty good offer to get Sprong.
Sean Monahan is in talks
Based on what Tom Gazzola spoke about on Edmonton Sports Talk and what Bob Stauffer said on his show (Oilers Now), it sounds like the Oilers have deep interest in Sean Monahan. Based on what both have talked about, it certainly sounds like the Oilers have spoken to Montreal about Monahan. It seems like he was the other player that Edmonton was looking at when they sent their scouts to watch Montreal.
Sean Monahan would be a very good addition for Edmonton as he would fit the bill as a third line centre. He is a strong faceoff man, he can score goals, make plays, and he can penalty kill. He is also a good leader and would mesh with the Oilers dressing room perfectly. We know the Oilers had deep interest in him during his draft year so I am not very surprised at how much interest Edmonton has in him.
Would Corey Perry be the right fit?
Over the last two weeks, it has been determined that former Chicago Blackwhawks winger, Corey Perry, will be returning to the NHL and he is now looking to sign a contract with an NHL team. This signing would be a no brainer for any playoff team that is looking for a leader, an experienced Stanley Cup Winner, and a player with grit, hands, leadership and compete. It sounds like the personal reason Perry’s contract was terminated in Chicago has been put behind him and he’s ready to resume his career. Could that be Edmonton?
Based on what Elliotte Friedman said on the Jeff Marek Show and 32 Thoughts, it sounds like the Edmonton Oilers have interest in signing Perry.
Stauffer has also stated that the Oilers have interest in signing him and that perhaps Perry himself has mutual interest in signing with Edmonton. Tom Gazzola also relayed that the Oilers have interest in gaining Perry’s services. But, he also questioned Corey’s opinion on playing for a Canadian team. Perry hasn’t played in a Canadian market so he hasn’t gone through the pressure that is felt here.
In my opinion, Perry does have interest in signing with Edmonton and I don’t believe the media pressure matters because he went through the pressure of winning a Stanley Cup. The pressure that comes with that is way more tough on a player and not when a player is in a Canadian market. I foresee the Oilers being in heavy and deep Corey Perry.
Tidbits around the league
- Oilers young prospect Dylan Holloway has returned from his two month injury and he is going through a conditioning stint down in the AHL with Bakersfield. Based on the two games I have seen him play, he is ready to come back up to the NHL and he is way too good to be allowed to play in the AHL. In his two games, he has scored one goal and two assists.
- Toronto Maple Leafs called Ilya Samsonov back up to Toronto and he led them to a loss against Detroit with the score of 4–2. The Leafs squandered a 3–0 lead recently against the Colorado Avalanche and lost 5–3 with Martin Jones in net. It is sounding like the Leafs are in dire need of a goaltender and they cannot wait for Joseph Woll anymore.
- On HNIC, Elliotte Friedman said there is interest in Jacob Markstrom but it would take a huge offer for the Calgary Flames to consider moving him. Calgary is in the process of not knowing if they should go all in to make the playoffs or slow down and sell for more assets.
- It is sounding like Cody Hodgson is ready to make another attempt to the NHL.
- The Oilers are looking around for a top-six forward and the names that keep popping up are Travis Konecny, Daniel Sprong, and the Ottawa Senators.
- The Vancouver Canucks are also on the hunt for a top-six forward and they also seem to have interest in Buffalo Sabres third line winger Jordan Greenway.
We shall see what materializes in the coming week. I do not think we will see anything substantial happen yet since the All-Star break is upcoming. But we are seeing the real playoff teams separate themselves from the fake ones, so they will be looking for additions.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
