It looks like we’re getting back to #TradeTheMall territory as rumours are circulating that the Oilers are open to moving Jussi Jokinen and Anton Slepyshev.
Over at Sportsnet, Mark Spector posted an article this afternoon that talks about the Oilers being open to shipping out newly recruited Jussi Jokinen as well as Anton Slepyshev in an attempt to add a piece. It’s a little bit surprising, a lot of sad, but all around Oilers, ya know? But if one bottom six rumour wasn’t enough to induce a head scratch, Chris Johnston just posted a similar story where his sources say that the Oilers actually sent out a note to gauge interest in Jussi Jokinen. So what the hell is going on here? I know both articles from the same place, but could there really be smoke here? Let’s take a look.
Let’s start with Slepyshev
After missing all of training camp and the pre-season, I’m not sure why it’s a big surprise that Slepyshev is having a slow start to the year. What’s confusing is the fact that his name is coming up in trade rumours. Frankly, Slepyshev was getting all kinds of love this summer and it would be odd that the Oilers would just abandon ship on him already. That is unless Chiarelli needs to give up something of value in order to consummate a deal (likely given that it’s Peter Chiarelli). I’m not saying that Anton Slepyshev is untradeable, but I would think it’s a little early to be giving up on him now, yeah? Anybody? Just me?
What about Jokinen
This one is hilarious to me. The Oilers signed Jussi Jokinen to a one-year deal on July 7th of this year and we’re only 10 games into the regular season. And he’s already in trade rumours? Talk about immediate buyer’s remorse. If this rumour is true, and Peter Chiarelli has already put out feelers for anyone wanting to take Jokinen, then he should have his credit card taken away immediately. When you combine this with the alleged whoopsie daisy that is the Ryan Strome trade then you have two of the only roster moves made this summer turning into disasters.
THE WRAP
Frankly, I don’t know what to make of these rumours at all. I mean, trading guys from the bottom six would certainly be a “shake up” of sorts but would it really matter all that much with what’s happening on the ice? I mean, let’s be honest here. What kind of return could the Oilers really get with Slepyshev and 36-year-old Jussi Jokinen as the bargaining chips? We’ve seen what Chia gets in a one-for-one trade, so it goes without saying that these two fellas aren’t going to land you Matt Duchene, ya dig? If anything, moving a guy like Jokinen would just look sad considering he’s been around for about 10 minutes.
All in all, it’s been a weird few Internet days for the Edmonton Oilers. Nick Kypreos kicked a hornet’s nest over the weekend and said that the Oilers already regret the Eberle/Strome trade, Twitter is mad at Connor for dressing like Trump on Halloween, and now peeps are talking about bottom six guys getting the boot before their even cooled off. Needless to say, the storylines surrounding the Oilers have done a complete 180 over the past month and it’s been a rollercoaster ride to see them go from Cup favourites back to #HereComeTheOilers territory.
What do you guys think about the Jokinen/Slepyshev rumours? Would you move either of them? Let me know in the comments.
Since the moment Chiarelli got so badly fleeced on the Hall trade, I have not trusted anything he does. Then he gets nominated for GM of the year and I’m like “Are you kidding me?!”
Now sounds like alot of people are jumping off the Chiarelli bandwagon.
(trade Hall, no problem, if you had too. But lose the trade so badly dosen’t work for me)
Rangers are desperate right now…. Trade JP, Benning, Strome, Jokinen, Slepy and a 2nd for McDonaugh and Krieder. If that doesn’t get it done, sweeten the pot with picks. Trade the mall.
I know I’m in the minority, but I’ve never thought Slepy was all that great. Reminds me a bit of Yak, actually. Lots of potential that he never seems to fully unlock. But you know the one name nobody is mentioning, the one that slipped through our fingers?
WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE LOST DESHARNAIS!
Not sure about Desharnais, but yeah – Slep reminds me of Yak as well. The operative word to describe both is scattered. All over the place – looking busy, but – not really getting much tangible done.
Do you seriously watch hockey. Slepyshev plays nothing like Yak
With 3 goals in 12 playoff games last year and 0 points from 7 games so far this year, I’d say he’s playing like a potato with narcolepsy, frankly.
My Desharnais comment was sarcastic. For some reason my whole comment failed to post.
No one liked my suggestion last week to blow it up starting with the coach and gm. Hope I’m wrong but this looks like ground hog day again
Honestly they need to relax a little bit with these deals regarding the new players. It takes time to get a custom to a new team (ie: sekera). Strome will be fine as a 30-40 pt player. Jokinen was meant to be a depth mentor, in and out of the lineup sort. Take the odd center. Again he will be fine as what he is. Slepy really doesn’t make sense to trade. The best I have seen from mcdavid was when he was on his wing and vice versa (I kno2 it was a short sample but still). He’s a speed element we need to keep imo. He’s been very consistent since coming into the lineup. One player I strongly recommend the oilers target is andrighetto from Colorado. He can wheel! And I don’t think he would be too expensive.
The Las Vegas knights didn’t take long to get used to a new team. Time for relaxing is over
A hockey team lives and dies by its best players, blaming 3rd 4th lines, back up goalie and 2nd pairing D men for our woes is misguided at best.
Our best players are not getting it done, simple as that, wanna play trade game? McDavid, Dria, Klef, Larson, and Talbot are the only players other teams would be interested in
You think no one would be interested in Nurse?
There’s a lot of talk about giving players time, here. How much more is available to them? If this season goes off the rails how does Chia behave at the deadline?
Actually, that is an interesting question, if a tad early: what do you guys think should happen if this season becomes a loss early on?
It’s Question Period on Oilersnation…
Hopefully trade Russell.
Why panic? The team got off to a slow start and now they’re pressing and making mistakes. Eventually they will relax and show more confidence.
You guys know your team better than I do, but would Caggiula / RNH / Slepyshev make a good third line? It would certainly have a bit of speed.
Is Puljujarvi ready to try again? Or is he still convinced he’s the cat’s meow? If he’s ready would he fit on the second line with Draisaitl and Lucic?
The Oilers have a bunch of talent and a decent coach. Relax and wait.
I think the only time anyone has felt relaxed around these parts is when the team clinched a playoff spot last year.
They look a little lost at times this year, they generate shots and chances but nothing is going in. Talbot is either great or terrible it seems.
I dont think externally is the way to go just yet. This start sucks but this team is better than they are playing. I guess if you are moving Jokienen and some picks or something go for it but I don’t see any outside help of any significance coming this early in the season. JP isn’t ready either, I will be surprised if he plays at all in the NHL this year unless some injuries happen.
Its looking more and more like chia is drunk at the wheel.
I’ve watched his moves. I know meth when I see it.
I seriously don’t understand why such a big deal is being made of this news – I mean we are talking about a former 3rd round pick who hasn’t yet established himself as an every day NHL player (even though some fans think he should be 1RW or at least in the top 6) and a reclamation project they signed as a “good bet” that, 10 games in to the season is looking like its not going to work as we is struggling to stay in the lineup let alone move past the 4th line.
No, niether of these players will return much in a trade (can’t image Jussi having any trade value) but, really, this is a non-story. We’re talking about bottom of the lineup/press-box players.
Its not like the info is that Nuge or Drai are “on the market”.
Looking forward to tomorrow night against PIT – should be another great game.
The bit about Strome bothers me aka the organization but as much effort into scouting him as they did Reinhart…
Edit: Put as much effort into scouting him.
I’m a mess and likely to post the exact opposite thing tomorrow… for now I feel like JP and KY are coming up on the RW. Ethan and Caleb and co. are coming up on D. If we avoid cap risk while doing it, I guess looking for lightening in the bottle by shuffling the bottom 6 is fine, but the main focus here is for Todd to get this lineup playing playoff hockey. then we snag some additional piece(s) at the deadline to push the team into contention.
Isn’t Poolparty exactly the situation you should avoid with Yamamoto? Let him shine in the WHL and play in the WJC. There is no good reason for the GM to keep him there. Speaking of Puljujarvi, he isn’t lighting it up on a bad team in the AHL either.
Before you get ahead of yourself, consider getting the team to play regular season hockey before you worry about adding at the deadline to be a contender. If you don’t have the pieces to make that happen, then you need to give up any picks and prospects you can afford. Or giving up a top player.
I’LL GIVE YOU LONDONDERRY FOR A RIGHT WINGER WITH UPSIDE!
Chiarelli will give u west ed and mall of America for your Abbotsford mall !!! Be prepared to lose another trade folks.
NOT ABBOTSFIELD!… that’s where the zombies live.
You can’t get rid of Londonderry even if you held eat some of the cap hit. Best we could hope for is to trade the balls on Whitemud for some other cities failed artwork and hope a change of scenery works out.
LOL
LEAVE LONDONDERRY ALONE!!!
Londonderry has been renovated, nice and bright now guys, new stores too.
Even the parkade has new lighting- just sayin’…
You could get a great winger and v good special teams coaches for that mall right now. Maybe even a couple players with a lot of heart, speed and grit- if you negotiate properly of course. Hope Chiarelli is reading this- we need the aforementioned at all costs now.