Players from Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list who could make sense for the Oilers

“Scoop: Communication has been scarce between the Canucks and Horvat’s camp, with the belief that contract talks broke off before training camp and have not resumed. Canucks president Jim Rutherford alluded to the idea that Horvat’s sizzling start means the captain could be the catalyst for core reconstruction: “The better he plays, the better return we can get for him,” Rutherford told Sportsnet 650 earlier this month. There is no shortage of teams interested in a top flight center, either as a rental or long-term fit: Colorado, Detroit, Boston and Edmonton, to name a few.”

“Scoop: The Chychrun Saga has dragged on for more than a calendar year now, with the player making his intentions for a trade well-known now, after Arizona first floated his name in discussions. He finally returned to the ice on Nov. 21, his first game since March 12, after undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries. His contract and cost certainty have teams salivating. But which player will they get? The 18-goal scorer from 2021? Or more of a second-pair blueliner? That will determine whether Arizona’s high asking price will be met.”

“Scoop: This was always the plan when Klingberg signed in Anaheim: Check out the fit, see how the season starts, and if things go sour, he’d be on the move as a flippable asset for the Ducks. It was a smart play for all sides after he lingered on the market. He’ll put $7 million in his pocket for the season, shoulder the security risk, and hope to cash in again next summer. It’s been a mostly miserable start for all involved with the rebuilding Ducks, so we have an idea where this is heading. Klingberg holds a full “no-trade” until Jan. 1. Will someone attempt to jump the market for the premier rental defenseman available?”

“Scoop: Everything has gone so wrong in Columbus that the Blue Jackets have reached the proverbial “Our pets’ heads are falling off” stage. Injuries have mounted. Structure has been lacking. And Gavrikov is sitting there as a nice potential trade chip. It seems recently re-signed Andrew Peeke is Gavrikov’s ready replacement on the back end. Gavrikov is a strong defender, a true defense-first defenseman, and nearly every team can maneuver his cap hit. What does the package look like? The Blue Jackets received first and third-round picks for David Savard in 2021. Gavrikov is probably a better player and definitely younger.”

“Scoop: Reaves has been a healthy scratch in four of the Rangers’ last five games. The belief is New York isn’t looking for much in return to gain the salary cap flexibility. And there are more than just a couple teams (Edmonton?) looking for a little size and bite in their bottom-six forward group.”

“Scoop: What a great story Monahan has been, rehabbing from a significant hip surgery last April that cost him a proper send-off in Calgary. The Flames were forced to cough up a 2025 first-round pick to get out from under his contract. The contract makes a trade more difficult, but Monahan could be an ideal third line center pick-up for a playoff team – and a boon of an asset swing for Canadiens GM Kent Hughes and Co.”