RUMOURS – Will Lucic for Eriksson ever die?

4 years ago

It’s Thursday! That means it’s another opportunity to dig around the NHL and discuss some rumours that could have an effect on the Oilers offseason plans.

This week, there a lot speculation and for the most part, it’s really dividing the Oilers fan base.

LUCIC FOR ERIKSSON WILL NEVER DIE

This rumour has been around for over a year now but I will say that it’s never reached the point it’s currently at. It seems like every week there’s a new wrinkle being added to this rumour and lately, it’s been the talk that the Oilers will need to add a sweetener.

We’ve heard everything from a mid-round pick to Jesse Puljujarvi, which Elliotte Friedman suggested on Sportsnet Radio in Vancouver.

Simply because Eriksson has one less year on his deal, I could see why the Oilers might need to add something to make that trade work but if the cost is anything more than a fourth-round pick, I think the Oilers should just hold onto Lucic.

We are just over a week away from the draft and I expect we will hear a lot more about these two names between now and the end of the draft weekend in Vancouver.

JETS & OILERS A FIT?

Dec 16, 2018; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers (27) is congratulated by his team mates on his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but I really think we could see these two teams swing something this summer. The name Nikolaj Ehlers has been thrown around a lot but lately, I’ve been hearing more and more about Jack Roslovic potentially being traded away this summer. The rumours I’ve been reading suggest that Roslovic wants to go somewhere he could get regular minutes and there simply isn’t that opportunity in Winnipeg.

Roslovic is a 22-year-old who can play both centre and right wing meaning he could fill one of two holes on the Oilers roster. In 109 NHL games, he has scored just 14 goals and 24 assists, but I think it’s reasonable to believe that he’s going to start taking some big steps forward. There were some extended stretches this season where he was riding shotgun with Winnipeg’s big guns and he didn’t look out of place.

If Roslovic does indeed want out and Winnipeg wants to recoup some future assets or young players, then I think there could really be a fit here and I believe Roslovic would thrive in the Oilers top sip.

PERRY RUMOURS FLY

Pierre LeBrun has been reporting for about a week now that the Anaheim Ducks will be aggressively shopping veteran forward Corey Perry and if they can’t find a trade partner, then they will likely buy out the 34-year-old.

The buyout route makes very little sense to me. He only has two years left and his buyout isn’t pretty.

Why not just bite the contract for one more year and hope Perry bounces back a little bit. He did battle injuries last season, only playing in 31 games, and the Ducks have $9 million in cap space with 13 forwards, four defensemen and a goalie signed for next season. That’s not including the fact that Ryan Kesler will go on LTIR when the season begins, freeing up another $6.8 million. A buyout makes little sense, but it appears as though they might do it.

Earlier this week Darren Dreger was on TSN 690 in Montreal and mentioned that Edmonton might be a fit if Perry becomes an unrestricted free agent. I don’t think Dreger was saying that the Oilers would 100% go after Perry, I think he was just saying it might make sense for them to consider it. While I can see why Oilers fans would be angry at that suggestion, I agree with Dreger and think it might make sense.

I can’t stand watching Perry torment the Oilers with his dirty hits and cheap plays. I honestly cannot stand him as a player. But, the bottom line is that the Oilers need scoring wingers and even in an injury-riddled season where he struggled to get in a groove, Perry scored at a 15 goal pace. The Oilers could use 15 goals and the Oilers could use wingers. Maybe a full offseason worth of training will turn things around for Perry?

If the deal is for around $2.5 million and is only two years long, I think that could really benefit the Oilers, but I expect a lot of you will disagree with me.

COYOTES EYEING DUCHENE

Pierre LeBrun had a handful of very interesting nuggets in his recent notebook and the piece on John Chayka and the Arizona Coyotes being interested in a big-ticket free agent like Matt Duchene caught my attention.

The Coyotes were decimated by injuries this season and still almost managed to squeak into a playoff spot. Next season, they will be adding Antti Raanta and Nick Schmaltz to their lineup, which will bolster their group. Add in youngsters like Clayton Keller, Christian Dvorak, Christian Fischer, and Alex Galchenyuk and it’s easy to see why some think the Coyotes might take another step forward next season.

If they manage to land Duchene or any high-end free agent then the competition for playoff spots in the Pacific Division will grow even more and that’s obviously not good for the Oilers.

THE 2019 DRAFT PARTY

Where? At the Canadian Brewhouse (Lewis Estates – 1320 Webber Greens Dr NW)
When? Friday, June 21st, doors open at 4:30 pm
How much? $10 per ticket
What do you get? Free pizza card from the Brewhouse, $10 Oodle Noodle promo card, Nation stickers, chance to win a signed RNH jersey provided by ATB Financial and draw prizes.
Where can I buy? Get your tickets here before they sell out!
Why? Because we love to party

Tickets are available here and will be on sale straight through until the date of the party. Thanks so much for the support and we look forward to seeing you there.

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