Another week is set to wrap andthat means another chance to take a look at the NHL’s rumour mill! Every week, I dig around the internet to find the hottest rumours and connect them back to the Edmonton Oilers as we try to figure out exactly how Ken Holland is going to improve this team over the next three months! Here are the big stories from this week:

THE OILERS & THE GOALTENDING MARKET

Pierre LeBrun recently took an in-depth look at the list of potential UFA goaltenders and he mentioned the Oilers in connection to a pair of big names. He starts off with Robin Lehner, who is currently playing some great hockey for the @Vegas Golden Knights. He notes that all the math points towards Lehner hitting the market this offseason and says that he’ll be looking for a multi-year deal. 
This would be a great fit for the Oilers if they can find a way to make the money work. Lehner will likely cost north of $6 million so Ken Holland will have to move out some expensive contracts to make it work, but I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.
LeBrun also talks about pending UFA @Jacob Markstrom in Vancouver. I’m doubtful that he hits the open market, and LeBrun said that as well, but if he does you can expect the Oilers to make a call.
There’s also the possibility of a trade and LeBrun brought up the Pittsburgh Penguins and the fact that they’re going to have to deal one of @Matt Murray or Tristan Jarry. The asking price will be high and each goalie will need a new deal, but I think both of those players would be tremendous fits in Edmonton. They’re both under 27 years old and could be this team’s starter for at least the next five years.
Braden Holtby is another name that LeBrun wrote about. He mentioned that the Capitals are probably ready to move on to Ilya Samsonov between the pipes, which would likely mean the end of the Holtby era in Washington. He did wonder if there was maybe a chance that Holtby signs a short-term deal with the Capitals since he’s coming off a poor season and his value isn’t very high. If he’d be willing to sign for around $4 million, I wonder if the Oilers would take a look. I also think the Oilers should be interested in Anton Khudobin.
Plenty of names to consider on the goaltending market this summer and that bodes well for an Oilers team that needs to improve that area of their team.

WOULD THE OILERS ACTUALLY CONSIDER MOVING OSCAR KLEFBOM?

Oct 22, 2019; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom (77) passes during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Elliotte Friedman brought up the idea of the Oilers potentially moving Oscar Klefbom on his ‘31 Thoughts’ Podcast and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out why the Oilers would do that. It just doesn’t make sense.
Klefbom is still under 30 years old and has three more years left on a contract that pays him just $4.167 million a season. That is incredible value for a player who has proven that he can be a top-pairing defenseman. When you have a really good player with a great contract, you don’t trade him. 
Now, there’s always a chance that another team gives you an offer that you can’t refuse, but I really can’t see that happening. If the Oilers want to shake up their blueline, then it makes much more sense for them to trade a player like Darnell Nurse, who makes more money and is a UFA in two years.

WILL THE RANGERS LOOK TO MOVE #1 OVERALL?

The Rangers are absolutely loaded down the left side with Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider, so when they won the NHL’s Draft Lottery and the right to draft Alexis Lafreniere, who is also a left-winger, some started to wonder if they would explore trading the first overall pick.
Their biggest need is down the middle and after Lafreniere, the consensus next two picks are Quinton Byfield and Tim Stuetzle. It’s easy to connect the dots and see why the Rangers would consider moving down if it meant they could get a few other assets.
It makes sense, but I would still say it’s very unlikely that the Rangers actually pull the trigger on a deal. Every year we talk about the potential of the top pick being moved and every year, the deal never comes, and there’s a reason for that. Even if the Rangers were considering moving that pick, they would be asking for a lot and the only team I could see being very serious about moving up is the Ottawa Senators. Would they part with multiple first-rounders for that top-pick? I highly doubt it and there Owner Eugene Melnyk shot down those rumours as well.
Will the Rangers look to move that pick? I could see it. Will they find a deal? I doubt it.

QUICK NOTES

  • The Sabres reportedly may not qualify RFA defenseman Brandon Montour, who’s qualifying offer would put him just over $4.0 million so it makes sense why they might explore other options. Now the big question is will they work out another deal with him or will they be forced to trade him?
  • I totally understand Tuuka Rask’s decision to leave the bubble and I’m not a fan of some of the hate he’s been getting. With that being said, you can understand why there have been some rumours thrown around regarding his future with the Bruins. Rask is scheduled to make $7 million next season so it might be hard for the Bruins to simply trade him. We have heard Rask talk about early retirement in the past and I wonder if that happens.
  • Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Flames told Cam Talbot earlier in the season that they would be interested in bringing the veteran goaltender back. His playoff performance probably cements that.