Report: Edmonton Oilers show interest in St. Louis Blues forward Noel Acciari
By Zach Laing
1 year agoThe Edmonton Oilers have reportedly checked in on St. Louis Blues forward Noel Accaiari, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Tuesday night.
Friedman made mention of it in his latest 32 Thoughts column.
Think the Oilers have also looked at the Blues’ Noel Acciari, but so has Vegas. Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy had Acciari with Boston and AHL Providence. It’s an obvious fit, but no guarantees until it’s done. Acciari isn’t the only Blue linked to Vegas, the other is Ivan Barbashev. Loved him during the 2019 run.
Acciari, 31, is in his eighth season in the NHL and was undrafted, but signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins. He spent four years there before three in Florida. This year marks his first with the Blues, and it has been one of his most productive. He’s scored 10 goals and 18 points in 51 games this season with his .35 PPG pace being the second-best of his career. Over the course of his career, he’s won exactly 50 percent of his draws, but has won 54.4 percent this season.
He’s a plus player offensively and defensively this year at even strength, according to hockeyviz.com. He’s providing offence and defence at two percent rates above league average while largely playing in a third-line role.
Acciari is playing on a one-year deal paying him $1.25-million, so the Oilers wouldn’t have much issue fitting him under the cap. The acquisition cost, I imagine, wouldn’t be drastic.
File this name away under “depth players the Oilers could have interest in.”
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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