Edmonton Oilers

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Oilers & Canucks

NHL Trade Talk Recap Jan. 7: Elias Pettersson trade talk picks up, Leafs ice their enforcer for no reason, and Oilers make more line changes.

by
Jim Parsons
January 7, 2025

In another NHL Trade Talk Recap (Jan. 7), there are updates on Mitch Marner’s talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs and if he’ll lean toward free agency. Meanwhile, the Leafs put Ryan Reaves into the lineup as the team took on the Flyers. Was it a mistake?

The Oilers keep rolling in Edmonton with a 4-0 over the Boston Bruins. Head coach Kris Knoblauch played with the lines again, which has been a theme for this team in recent weeks.

Finally, it has been confirmed the Vancouver Canucks are talking to rival teams about trades involving Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Is there a team to watch for in the Pettersson rumor mill?

Here is a recap of the biggest stories in a busy day of NHL news.

Top NHL Trade Talk Recap Story:

Team Leading Way in Elias Pettersson Trade Talks

There’s a ton of speculation with the Vancouver Canucks and who they should trade – Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller. Has the situation reached a point of no return? The Canucks are taking and making calls on both players, and Chris Johnston of TSN noted that the Canucks might be closer to moving Pettersson.

He says several teams have shown and will show interest. Is there a frontrunner in the mix already?

Elias Pettersson JT Miller Canucks drama

More Forward Changes for the Oilers, Who Keep Rolling With 4 Straight Wins

The Edmonton Oilers have a good problem with their roster depth. It would seem they have a surplus of forwards capable of doing the job. On one hand, that’s a good sign because every forward who plays seems able to contribute. On the other hand, there are questions about chemistry as the Oilers keep winning.

How will the Oilers figure out how best to employ their roster depth? It’s good that Edmonton keeps performing well and picking up points, but what group will stay on this roster when the postseason rolls around? Does it matter that the lines keep changing, or is it no big deal? It seems like no big deal as the Oilers picked up a dominant 4-0 win on Tuesday over the Boston Bruins.

Read More Than the Recap Here:

The Maple Leafs Put Reaves In… For No Reason

In an interesting roster move, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube threw Ryan Reaves into the mix during tonight’s Philadelphia Flyers game. Perhaps his goal was to keep things calm because that’s what happened. Reaves was a non-factor in a game the Maple Leafs won. Was it at all for show? Whatever, it didn’t amount to much in the end. Still, one must wonder what the Maple Leafs head coach tried to prove.

Read the Rest of the Recap:

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