Edmonton Oilers are looking at a plethora of forward options to play with Leon Draisaitl.
Edmonton Oilers are looking at a plethora of forward options to play with Leon Draisaitl.
EDMONTON -- Where there is smoke there is fire. But what fires will burn brightest by Friday's trade deadline?
That remains to be seen.
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The Edmonton Oilers were rumored to be in on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel and St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich. The asking price for both may be driving the Oilers to look elsewhere - as teams like the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and others have more assets to work with to entice the teams that are selling.
Elliotte Friedman reported on his written version of 32 Thoughts that, "Vladimir Tarasenko is a consolation prize for whoever doesn't get or cannot afford Guentzel."
More reports came out later in the day yesterday about the teams that are interested in the perennial 30-goal scorer. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun listed at least six teams have contacted the Ottawa Senators about Tarasenko.
Garrioch cites the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Golden Knights and Oilers as the main teams voicing interest.
According to Garrioch, the price for Tarasenko is a second round pick and a prospect. That appears to be a much more affordable price for a team to pay, considering that the Blues are looking for a "Elias Lindholm-esque" haul for Buchnevich.
Tarasenko carries a $5-million cap hit for the rest of this season. Any deal to the Oilers would require enough salary going the other way - or salary being moved in a separate deal PLUS the Senators retaining on Tarasenko.
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Tarasenko has a full no trade clause - so he must waive that clause in order to be traded. No doubt the Oilers would be on his radar, given their position in the standings and the opportunity to play with one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
This could be a sneaky good option for the Oilers. Keep your eyes peeled on this one.
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