Landing Spots for Chiasson
5 years ago
We don’t need to discuss the options open to the Oilers when it comes to Alex Chiasson. Tyler Yaremchuk did that earlier this week.
I’m going to take a look at who the Oilers might have to end up working with if they decide the trade route is the best way to go for Chiasson. I would have had Washington on this list but they recently sent a 3rd and conditional 6th to the Kings for Carl Hagelin. So who’s left?
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun has already mentioned the Penguins are showing some interest in Chiasson and that the rumoured ask is a 2nd round pick or a good prospect.
Hagelin has two goals this season and the Kings were forced to retain salary in order to land a third rounder. Due to his low cap hit it’s not completely unreasonable to think the Oilers may be able to land a late 2nd for Chiasson but I’d say a third or a prospect is the more likely return.
Here’s the issue for a deal with the Penguins, they don’t have a 2nd or a 3rd round pick in the 2019 draft. They also don’t have a 2nd rounder in 2020.
With no picks in the range the Oilers are looking for, the Penguins may have to part with a decent prospect. From what I’ve been told the Oilers spend quite a bit of time watching NCAA hockey out east. I wonder if Finnish prospect Kasper Bjorkqvist would get the job done. Bjorkqvist was drafted 61st overall in the 2016 draft and has now played three seasons with Providence.
I’d also look at Sam Miletic. He’s an AHL rookie with 17 points in 26 games. He had 92 points last year with the London Knights and Niagara Ice Dogs.
BOSTON BRUINS
I don’t think the Bruins are as nice as fit as the Penguins but I do believe they are a little inexperienced on the wings. After pulling the trigger on the Coyle trade Bruins GM Don Sweeney hinted that he was done dealing. I doubt it.
Keith Gretzky would know the Bruins system well as he is responsible for drafting a number of the players currently in that pipeline. I wonder if the Bruins would be ready to part with former 1st round pick Zachary Senyshyn. Gretzky liked him enough to draft him 15th overall in 2015. He has 13 goals in the AHL so far this season and currently sits 8th in Providence Bruins scoring. They might be ready to give up on him.
I’d prefer a 3rd round pick at this point.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Maybe the Blues don’t want to mess with a winning formula but I think Chiasson could provide a little bump on the wing and more importantly fit into the cap space they have available.
The Blues prospect depth doesn’t drive me crazy but they do still have a 3rd in 2019. Samuel Blais would also be of interest to me if I were the Oilers. He has 18 points in 25 games in the AHL and has played 24 games with the big club scoring twice and adding an assist. He’s 6’2, 205 and has three years under his belt in the AHL. I’d be willing to add a late pick to Chiasson to bring in a warm body like Blais. It’s unlikely, but he does intrigue me.
DALLAS STARS
I’m throwing the Stars into the mix simply because they may feel the need to do something just to hang on to a playoff spot at this point.
Like the Blues, the Stars don’t have a lot of cap space so adding a big name is out of the question. Prior to this season, Chiasson’s best year was his last one with Dallas after which he was one of the key pieces they had to move out to bring in Jason Spezza.
A couple of prospects that may be worth bringing in. Adam Mascherin was a 2nd round pick of the Panthers in 2016 but didn’t sign and re-entered the draft in 2018 where he was selected in the 4th round by Dallas. He has 30 points in 52 games as an AHL rookie after putting up 81,100 and 86 points over his final three years of junior. Would be a nice return for Chiasson if they could make it happen.
Oskar Back was a 3rd round pick in 2018. He’s described as a project out of Sweden that will need significant time to develop. Back was on the World Junior squad for Sweden this past Christmas. The Stars also still have all of their picks in the 2019 draft.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
To be honest I’m not even sure where Chiasson would fit into the Islanders current line up but I’m putting them on this list for one reason and one reason only; to ask this question. What would you be willing to add to Chiasson to get Josh Ho-Sang? Would you be willing to bring in Josh Ho-Sang? He has recently said he’s not opposed to being traded.
I have no idea what would have to be added to Chiasson to get a deal done. Would the Islanders be ready to move on from Ho-Sang if they can get a little help for the playoffs this year and a small piece for the future? It’s probably the best they can hope for. What would you offer up and would it be worth it? Fire away in the comments!
Previously by Dustin Nielson:
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