Hockey insider has revealed something he has learned regarding players around the NHL and their relationship to the Edmonton Oilers.
As one of the smallest and most remote markets in the NHL, Edmonton has often had issues attracting talent. Not so anymore, it seems.
On the season premiere of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman delivered some news that should have Edmonton Oilers fans excited.
"I heard from some agents who told me that there were players who took Edmonton off their no-trade list," Friedman told co-host Kyke Bukauskas.
Edmonton Oilers.For years now, the league's most northerly team has joined Winnipeg and Buffalo as the most-named teams on players' no-trade lists. But as they say, winning cures all ills, as clearly the Oilers' run to the Cup Finals has convinced some players to consider a move up north.
This fits with this year's trend of veteran players choosing to sign in Edmonton, from Corey Perry to Adam Henrique to Jeff Skinner. It's also surely going to be influenced by Leon Draisaitl's massive extension, as well as the rumoured upcoming Connor McDavid contract.
Of course, getting off the list is only the first step. Up against the salary cap and featuring a barren farm system, the Oilers will still have to get creative to make any big acquisitions this season, no matter how much the players want to come here.
Still, this is an extremely encouraging development, and one that will certainly prove important as the team tries to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.
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