Blum Future?

This is Johnny Boychuk and what’s left of Jaroslav Spacek. Boychuk is heading toward free agency and would certainly be on the Oilers shopping list if available. History tells us that Boychuk is likely to re-sign in Boston or with another contender and that means the Oilers will be looking for help elsewhere. 

Elliotte Friedman has an Oiler thought or two among his 30 this week. Friedman: "the Oilers are letting teams know that they want defencemen in return for any trade assets. Makes sense." Jonathan Blum (in photo) might be a candidate for Edmonton; he’s young, has a good pedigree and is closer to being an NHL defender than the AHL hires and all of the junior age kids. Here are some other reasons he makes sense for the Oilers:

Blum enjoyed a strong rookie season but relied heavily on a strong PDO and luck which gifted him with a splendid 23 games. All that good luck turned bad and bit him in the ass this season, and he’s lugging around a ghastly -14 in 33 games with Nashville this season.

 

 Jonathan discussed the Blum rumors today and they make a lot of sense based on what the team needs. The deal rumored (Blum and a 1st for Hemsky plus) is somewhat similar to the Penner deal of a year ago but with an added asset headed the other way to pay for the injury worry and the impending free agency.

The question I have about Blum is where does he fit? Edmonton has Whitney, Smid and Gilbert at the top of the depth chart for next season and then Potter, Petry, Peckham to round out the NHL depth chart. Bubbling under are Colten Teubert, Alex Plante, Taylor Chorney and of course the future is on the way in the form of Oscar Klefbom, Martin Marincin, Martin Gernat, David Musil and others. So, where do you slot Blum? My guess is he’d be an option about where Jeff Petry is now except with waiver exemption. 

Is that plus a pick worth Hemsky and an asset?

I’d still keep Hemmer.

 

 

A top 6F that included all of RNH, Hall, Eberle, Hemsky and one of the Russians would be pretty sweet but it is unlikely at this time. Ideally the Oilers sign Hemsky and he’s around for another run. However, we would/should have heard of a deal by now (I expect) so if they’re going to trade him for picks and prospects Nashville seems as good a place as any,.

I still think Detroit finds a way to make this happen and hell maybe Sather gets involved and makes a trade with his old team. They have some nice D in the big Apple.