DEREK ROY ON WAIVERS!

The Edmonton Oilers are badly in need of help but are not going to deal any draft picks to get better in the short term. A few weeks back, they had a chance to pick up Kyle Chipchura on waivers but declined the opportunity. Today comes news that Derek Roy has been placed on waivers by the Nashville Predators. Does Edmonton grab him?

It’s an interesting question. Chipchura had issues (one year remaining after this one at $875,000) but Roy is an expiring $1 million deal. He’s also a better fit (more offense) and could center a skill line Tuesday night.

Roy remains in the “two-way” portion of the Nashville graph among centers but he was getting the softest minutes and the biggest zone-start push of the entire group. You’d want to see more production from the player in this role, although it’s important to note Roy’s quality of linemates didn’t boast the top wingers on the team.

Mike Fisher’s return means a lot of change for Nashville and one imagines Roy was offered around the league (without success). I could go either way on this one: If Edmonton grabs Roy off waivers you can see why (Leon’s replacement, veteran hand to mentor one or two of the youngsters) and if they pass on him it’s also understandable (he isn’t a world beater).

I guess it comes down to his 5×5 points-per-60 (1.66) towering over Mark Arcobello (0.96), Leon Draisaitl (0.84) and Boyd Gordon (1.21). The Oilers have been sitting on their hands for some time now, this would be at least an interesting attempt at getting better without any asset cost.

Will they do it? No idea. Does it matter? Not really, the club is dead in the water no matter what they do and giving Anton Lander the gig in January makes sense if you think he might be part of the future. I do get the feeling Oilers fans would like to see signs of a pulse from management but then again there’s little evidence that would move the needle.