It looks like we’re getting back to #TradeTheMall territory as rumours are circulating that the Oilers are open to moving Jussi Jokinen and Anton Slepyshev.

Over at Sportsnet, Mark Spector posted an article this afternoon that talks about the Oilers being open to shipping out newly recruited Jussi Jokinen as well as Anton Slepyshev in an attempt to add a piece. It’s a little bit surprising, a lot of sad, but all around Oilers, ya know? But if one bottom six rumour wasn’t enough to induce a head scratch, Chris Johnston just posted a similar story where his sources say that the Oilers actually sent out a note to gauge interest in Jussi Jokinen. So what the hell is going on here? I know both articles from the same place, but could there really be smoke here? Let’s take a look.

After missing all of training camp and the pre-season, I’m not sure why it’s a big surprise that Slepyshev is having a slow start to the year. What’s confusing is the fact that his name is coming up in trade rumours. Frankly, Slepyshev was getting all kinds of love this summer and it would be odd that the Oilers would just abandon ship on him already. That is unless Chiarelli needs to give up something of value in order to consummate a deal (likely given that it’s Peter Chiarelli). I’m not saying that Anton Slepyshev is untradeable, but I would think it’s a little early to be giving up on him now, yeah? Anybody? Just me?

This one is hilarious to me. The Oilers signed Jussi Jokinen to a one-year deal on July 7th of this year and we’re only 10 games into the regular season. And he’s already in trade rumours? Talk about immediate buyer’s remorse. If this rumour is true, and Peter Chiarelli has already put out feelers for anyone wanting to take Jokinen, then he should have his credit card taken away immediately. When you combine this with the alleged whoopsie daisy that is the Ryan Strome trade then you have two of the only roster moves made this summer turning into disasters.

Frankly, I don’t know what to make of these rumours at all. I mean, trading guys from the bottom six would certainly be a “shake up” of sorts but would it really matter all that much with what’s happening on the ice? I mean, let’s be honest here. What kind of return could the Oilers really get with Slepyshev and 36-year-old Jussi Jokinen as the bargaining chips? We’ve seen what Chia gets in a one-for-one trade, so it goes without saying that these two fellas aren’t going to land you Matt Duchene, ya dig? If anything, moving a guy like Jokinen would just look sad considering he’s been around for about 10 minutes.

All in all, it’s been a weird few Internet days for the Edmonton Oilers. Nick Kypreos kicked a hornet’s nest over the weekend and said that the Oilers already regret the Eberle/Strome trade, Twitter is mad at Connor for dressing like Trump on Halloween, and now peeps are talking about bottom six guys getting the boot before their even cooled off. Needless to say, the storylines surrounding the Oilers have done a complete 180 over the past month and it’s been a rollercoaster ride to see them go from Cup favourites back to #HereComeTheOilers territory.

What do you guys think about the Jokinen/Slepyshev rumours? Would you move either of them? Let me know in the comments.