Edmonton Oilers rumour roundup: keeping an eye on Jake DeBrusk and Michael Kesselring

With the Olympics in the past the NHL season is back into full swing. Barreling towards the trade deadline, rumour season is in also full swing.

Let’s take a look into some of the noise around the Edmonton Oilers in this week’s rumour roundup.

Samanski to stick?

Although much of the focus is on external additions at this time in the season, internal development is often the most impactful way to improve the team. Having loaded up on players in their early twenties, there are several young Oilers who might be on the cusp of their best play to date.

Perhaps a prime candidate for such is Josh Samanski. While one might have suggested that a pre-Olympic call up was merely a service, giving Samanski a chance to share the ice with German Olympic teammate Leon Draisaitl, it seems that the young forward might have a legitimate chance at a regular roster spot upon the Oilers return to play.

Upon further inspection, it might not be that surprising that Samanski has a shot. After parts of four seasons in the top German league, Samanski is in rookie AHL season. It makes sense that Oilers took some time to get Samanski acclimated to the North American style before giving him a legitimate look in the NHL.

It is clear that Samanski has the physical traits to be an impactful NHLer, and his production has been fairly impressive this season. Samanski has two points in five games at both the Olympics and in the NHL. He added 28 points in 40 AHL games as well. With size, physicality, and a nose for contested ice, Samanski has a legitimate chance at sticking with the Oilers.

As the Oilers search for synergy in their bottom-six, it seems that they will give Samanski the opportunity to prove that he can be a part of the solution. It is reported that Samanski will get a longer look in the NHL leading up to the trade deadline, essentially giving him the opportunity to be a deadline acquisition for the team.

Joined perhaps by other young players like Matthew Savoie, Samanski finding his groove would be a huge boost to the team. It is prudent for the Oilers to give him a look before trading away assets to shore up a depth roster position. In the end this is the best answer for the Oilers, as if Samanski is able to assert himself as a viable NHL regular the Oilers will have him for some of his best seasons at a low price.

Old regime prospects

Speaking of prospects, the deadline likely means that the Oilers will be trading away some younger players for more immediate contributions. This is part of the deal, as the Oilers will need to part with futures to entice other teams to accept their trade offers. Of course, draft picks will factor in these negotiations as well.

Which prospects might be traded is another question altogether. A big piece of the equation is which prospects other teams seem to value. Still, given the recent change of general managers, the Oilers might value some of their prospects more than others.

Any players acquired by the previous regime are most likely to be dealt. Of course these prospects are likely a bit older, having been in the organization for longer, but they might not be valued by current GM Stan Bowman as they were by former GM Ken Holland.

In particular this might apply to Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and Roby Jarventie. Representing a good chunk of what most would consider the Oilers top ten prospects, these players will likely hold some value around the league. Of course, other prospects might apply under these same circumstances.

Clearly Savoie is the most established of the three, and appears to be poised for a decent career in the NHL. While this is pleasant for Oiler fans, it makes him more valuable to other teams as well. The Oilers will have to give up quality to acquire quality, and so fans should be prepared for some prospects to be moved in the coming weeks.

DeBrusk connected to the team

Some believe that the Oilers are best served adding a legitimate second line winger to round out their forward group. Recently, Bobby McMann has been a popular fantasy addition, the thought being a power scorer might be the perfect finishing touch to the forward group.
Under the same archetype it seems that Jake DeBrusk would be an option. The Vancouver Canucks are firmly sellers at this point, so the appetite to get younger is understandable. The motivations from the Canucks side is meaningful, giving a clear path to a mutual agreement. Of course Jake’s father Louie plays a huge role in the story. A former Oiler, Louie’s lasting impact is still underway as a colour commentator for the Oilers. Jake was born in Edmonton, adding to the mystique. Most importantly, Jake DeBrusk is a good player that would improve the Oilers. Affording his salary cap hit is another question, though.

Targeting a right-hand defenceman

There has been greater focus on contemplating which defencemen the Oilers might be targeting to upgrade their defence. Naturally, adding a right shot is preferable. With that in mind a couple names have popped up as potential fits.

Former Oiler prospect Michael Kesselring took off almost immediately after being traded from the Oilers a few years ago. The big, mobile, right shot defenceman has a knack for shooting from the blueline. Kesselring might bring some anguish to Oiler fans, having moved off of him at an inopportune time.

While he would upgrade the Oilers blueline, perhaps even a suitable partner for Darnell Nurse, there is no guarantee that the Buffalo Sabres are remotely interested in dealing away Kesselring. The Sabres are as dangerous a team as they have been in more than a decade. Arguably their top right shot defenceman, it seems unlikely that there will be much appetite for the Sabres to deal Kesselring for futures.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Ristolainen is another option that has emerged. Though he was once a player that caught a lot of negative opinions, his work with the Philadelphia Flyers has been solid. The Flyers are caught in the middle, so predicting their deadline intentions is a bit murky. From a long term perspective the Flyers are in the midst of getting younger.

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