NHL weekly trade rumours: What to do with Philip Broberg

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.

Broberg deserves an opportunity in the NHL

With how Philip Broberg has been playing in the AHL, there is one question that has steadily increased in popularity and curiosity. Is it time for the Edmonton Oilers to take a gamble on Philip Broberg? As Bob Stauffer alluded to on Oilers Now, some professional scouts told him that a lot of them believe he is NHL ready and deserving of an opportunity. I feel like he is right because, based on how Broberg has played in his 23 games in the AHL (one goal and 15 assists with 22+ minutes in ice time), the kid is totally deserving it. But where will he get it? Edmonton or somewhere else?

According to the Frank Seravalli segment on Oilers Now, along with his new trade board on the DFO rundown, he has the Oilers moving Brett Kulak. Also, on the trade board, he has him at #11. Seravalli explained that based on what he’s hearing, the Oilers may be interested in giving Broberg and opportunity and moving on from Brett Kulak.

This will most likely anger fans but what Seravalli said about this makes sense. Seravalli explained that, since Broberg has clearly shown himself to be too good for the AHL, he is certainly deserving of an NHL opportunity. Also, Broberg and Vincent Desharnais were the top pair on the Bakersfield Condors last year before Desharnais got called up so it does make sense in a way. Trading away Kulak would also clear $2.75M off the cap and would give the Oilers an opportunity to make a big “all in” type of deal.

Yes it is a gamble but it is a little in the same vein as the Tyson Barrie trade last season. The Oilers cleared out Barrie to give Evan Bouchard more of an opportunity and they were able to bring in Mattias Ekholm. That was a brilliant move and, both Seravalli and Bob Stauffer believe, that the Oilers will try to make another move like that. I think this deal makes sense but it can also backfire.

Kulak has been very valuable for the Oilers (especially in the playoffs). He’s been a warrior and maybe dealing him now is not the right move, but they also need cap space. This seems like the easiest way to obtain it unless Jack Campbell’s contract can be moved.

Where will Lindholm go?

On Oilers Now, Stauffer has been hinting at the Oilers being highly interested in the Calgary Flames top centre Elias Lindholm for about a week now. This is not something that should come as a surprise because the pro scout meetings are happening right now. Ken Holland, Jeff Jacksonm and co are all in these meetings so it would not surprise me to hear his name spouted out.

This tells us two things: The Oilers are looking for a right-handed scorer for the top six who can play the right wing (Lindholm can play centre and the right wing), and they’re willing to pay a large amount to obtain him. The only question is the cap space.

Potential for a Campbell trade

Jack Campbell has finally started to get his game in shape, at least in the AHL, as he has gotten up to a 3.02 GAA and a .902 save percentage. Yes it’s not very satisfying but in his last 10 games, his save percentage is up to around .920.

Now, there’s talk of him getting traded as Seravalli spoke about this after the Corey Perry signing.

I’m not exactly sure how this opens the way to move Campbell out the door but it is intriguing nonetheless. There are teams looking for goaltending right now and the Oilers do not need Campbell. any longer. We will see what materializes as his value continues to grow.

Tidbits of the week

• On HNIC last night, Friedman spoke of the New York Rangers having interest in Sean Monahan. He said the cost would be a first-round pick and a bit more. Monahan has brought his career back up to a valuable standard and he would certainly help them in their Cup run.

• Friedman also spoke of, and this is an odd team, the Ottawa Senators making a run for Chris Tanev. This is a surprising player the Senators may have a run for because it seemed they were out of the playoff picture two weeks ago. But they have garnered a point or more in four of the last five games so they may still have some hope. Is it worth giving futures at this point to acquire an expiring contract? This would also mean Jakob Chychrun is certainly out the door.

• The Columbus Blue Jackets have started to take calls on stars Patrik Laine and Ivan Provorov. I am not sure what Columbus was thinking when they acquired Provorov. They haven’t exactly used him the right way and they are now trying to move him. There is of course going to be interest in Laine but that now may be out of the question. He lost his father a year ago and he was very close with him. Now, he has entered the player assistance program from the NHLPA. Hopefully this will help him.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs have started to show interest in Arizona defenceman Matt Dumba.

• I’ll finish off with this rumour from last week: the Oilers being interested in Jakob Chychrun. We know they had interest in him last season and now they may be looking for another Ekholm type deal. Chychrun fits that bill and his name has started to resurface in Edmonton. We will see where this goes.

Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire