Subban

There was word that Subban was back on the block and talks heated up with Edmonton. It appears those talks have slowed as Tambellini just told Pierre LeBrun that he doubts he'll move the pick. Seems as though the return Montreal wanted was a bit too much and that's understandable from a Montreal point of view.

Larionov

There was a report that Igor Larionov was upset when Jason Gregor asked him to join his show. "I don't talk to Edmonton and Edmonton doesn't talk to me." There was some immediate backlash that this meant Edmonton wasn't going to draft Yakupov. We've also heard now, Edmonton hasn't talked to Ryan Murray's agent either in weeks and that Edmonton did in fact contact Newport Sports.

Roster Moves

Edmonton is looking to move it's second round pick and a roster player to improve their blue-line. Word is Hemsky, but Edmonton also willing to part with Jones, Belanger, Eager and Omark. When names like Smid and Petry come up, it's a non-started for the Oilers.

Rick Nash

Looks like Columbus couldn't find a trade partner and is going to wait until after July 1st and see where Parise goes feeling the market will warm up.

Luongo to Toronto Close

The only trade that looks not only possible but probable is Luongo to Toronto. Burke and Gillis have been seen having long talks. What appear to be more than just friendly chatter.

We'll see if something actually gets done.

There was some talk a while back that P.K. Subban was a rumor to go to Edmonton along with the #3 for #1 overall and something else. We're hearing that Montreal squashed that back when it last came out. Now, we're hearing the talk may be back on.

Word is Montreal is quietly shopping Subban and has contacted Edmonton to see if something can be done. Mark Spector reports that going the other way might be Smid or Petry, so this trade could involve a lot of moving pieces.

Even more interesting is that Jason Gregor reports that Igor Larionov (Yakupov's agent) was asked to come on Gregor's show and flat out refused. His exact words were, "Edmonton doesn't talk to me and I don't talk to Edmonton.". Gregor further added that Larionov was not a happy camper.

Could it be that Edmonton has informed Larionov that they don't intend to take Yakupov? Not sure why they would do that, but I guess anything is possible.

This just got very interesting. Edmonton may be maneuvering to move to #3 where they can grab Murray or Reinhart and get Subban back in trade.

We'll be coming to you a few times with updates on what we're hearing regarding a big day for the Oilers at the draft. Update 1... and away we go.

Keith Yandle

The Oilers are not really big players here. Edmonton is well aware they need to upgrade their blue line, but the asking price for Yandle (who is not actively being shopped by the Coyotes) is a top six forward preferred to be center. From what we hear, Edmonton is willing to move Gagner, but is more interested in Hemsky going the other way.

No official inquiry or offer has been made from what we understand. Pittsburgh may be the biggest player here.

Ryan Murray

There is some real concern among fans that Edmonton will pass on the best player as listed by almost all scouts in Nail Yakupov and draft Ryan Murray. We've learned there should be some concern. The Oilers have let their staff and management know, but not released to anyone else who they've deemed #1. It could be Murray. My guess is 50/50 that it's Murray or Yakupov. I'm still on Yakupov, but won't be at all surprised if Murray is who they've identified and Edmonton is prepared to let the intrigue and excitement among the fans continue.

It's worrying a lot of fans, but it's go them talking and that's what Edmonton wants.

Griffin Reinhart

Edmonton has not labelled Reinhart as the #1 selection. Should Edmonton keep the pick, he will not be chosen. But, they do like Reinhart -- and a lot. If they can successfully manage a move within the top #4, Edmonton may see what's available.

Edmonton is worried at the Islanders will take Reinhart, so they can't trade below #4.

Sam Gagner

Is not being shopped, but Edmonton is listening and there are teams interested. Edmonton sounds only willing to move Gagner if they can add a significant roster piece of need. That be a top four defensman or another centre of Gagner's caliber in which the Oilers would have to give up another prospect to get the deal done. Some talk involves Niklas Hjalmarsson from Chicago, but nothing major has been done yet.

More to come...

Jordan Staal has just given the Pittsburgh Penguins a pretty good indication he won't be staying long-term. Bob Mckenzie reports that Staal has turned down a 10-year extension from the Penguins.

Obviously the contract was a healthy one as it would have been a raise over this current $4 million cap hit. This is a pretty good sign that Staal has his sights set on being more than a third line center. This is also an opening for teams to come calling Penguin GM Ray Shero. Staal could be the first to move.

There are plenty of teams interested and one might be the Edmonton Oilers. Going the other way would for sure be center Sam Gagner and as would a defensive prospect and likely a draft pick.

The question becomes, outside of size, point totals haven't been a big game changer in Staals game versus Gagners. If Staal won't sign a minimum $40 million dollar deal, what would it take to make that trade and sign him in Edmonton.

My guess, is Carolina is the front runner. The Hurricanes are looking to improve their forward depth and rumors were were there was some interest in Gagner for the #8 pick. If Staal could be had instead, Carolina would be sure to do so.

Not Moving the #1

There is a lot of buzz going around that there are plans in the works to perhaps move the #1 overall selection at this years draft by the Edmonton Oilers. That there are teams close to making moves, offers to consider and options to weigh.

All of that is not true.

We've learned that Edmonton has in fact had very little talks with anyone about moving the pick and that no official offers of any kind have been made to the Oilers. The exact response we heard "we're open to it if someone wants to knock our socks off, but we anticipate picking at #1 and we've had no talks to the contrary with any teams."

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Who to Take?

What we've also learned, is that the Edmonton Oilers don't know yet, who they'll take with the #1 pick and that if there were in fact good offers to trade, they would consider it because they are contemplating taking someone that might be available in this years draft at #2, #3 or #4 It sounds as though their thought process is if they knew they could get the player they covet by not picking #1, they would move it should they be able to get an asset that immediately helps their squad.

To do so, is tricky because the Oilers have their eye on three players. Past #4, these players may not be available.

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Oilers Have Some Interest In Jagr

The Oilers are getting a little closer to signing Ryan Smyth. While it sounds like the two sides haven't had further discussions beyond the tabled offer from the Oilers, there is a common belief that there will be some coming together.

That said, the Oilers are considering other options and one is Jagr. He wants to play for the money. It's why he hasn't signed in Philly. He likes Hemsky and is a great leader to the young kids. Many of the Flyers have publicly made aware their fondness of the job Jagr did.

I don't see Jagr as a good replacement for Smyth and if Edmonton drafts Yakupov the right side is overloaded so where Jagr would fit is beyond me. Someone would have to play the off side as Jagr would need to be a top six forward on this team to justify the $3 million plus his contract would get him.

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Oilers Kicking Tires on Bouwmeester?

It would seem like an incredible stretch, but Edmonton and Calgary may be talking a bit about Bouwmeester in Edmonton. We know the Oilers would like a top pairing minutes guy and Bouwmeester is that. The Oilers believe that with the right minutes along side the many minutes Bouwmeester would log, his poor offensive totals would improve.

Even if they didn't, Bouwmeester is a reliable and underrated defensman. Overpaid? Yes. That said,  the Oilers might not care if they can send the right pieces back. Calgary would take on money, but they would need someone who could play minutes on the blue such as a Theo Peckham or Andy Sutton. This goes to show how badly Edmonton thinks it needs to bolster it's defense.


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Brent Sutter Out


It sounds as though Sutter is no longer in the running for head coach. The strange thing is, unless the Oilers were hiding it well, Sutter was never in the running. Edmonton has interviewed a number of candidates and it appears as though they may look internally.

It appears that while Edmonton was saying that Sutter wasn't contacted because of his contract in Calgary, that was a cover as Feaster has said that he didn't deny permission for the Oilers to speak to Sutter.

Unless Edmonton and Sutter are really trying to hide this hire together -- which would be odd -- Ralph Kreuger seems to be the leading candidate at this point.

The Edmonton General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with left-winger Lennart Petrell on a one-year contract extension.

While this isn't huge news and the Finn has some obvious deficiencies, I did like Petrell and felt he was a big factor to the improved success of the Oilers penalty kill last season. 5 x 5, Petrell was not good and with whatever choice the Oilers make on their coaching this season, one has to hope that the new bench boss has the smarts to keep Petrell in a situation where he can maximize his strengths and remove him from his areas of weakness.

Petrell makes sense on the PK and he's an energy guy when a team like the Oilers who lack physical play, need that boost on the forecheck.

He should be a 13th forward when all is said and done and while we don't know the details of the contract yet, I expect that it will be around the $900,000 or less than he made last season.