According to a report from Elliotte Friedman after Tuesday night’s first round of the NHL Entry Draft came to a close, he reported updates on a few of the rumors making the rounds in the NHL trade and free agency market. The nugget he slipped in at the end of the segment might have been one of the bigger rumors he shared. Friedman noted that if the Jacob Markstrom shakes loose out of Vancouver, he believes the Oilers are going to be in the running.
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Friedman said specifically, “I wonder if he’s not signed in Vancouver, if Edmonton takes a long look at Markstrom?” The question was phrased less like a question and more like a hint that he’s heard something on that front.
This is interesting considering GM Ken Holland has said that he’s making finding a goaltender a priority this week, but also that he’s looking for a netminder to play alongside Mikko Koskinen. Markstrom would be a great upgrade for the Oilers, but he’d also be a costly option and that would mean the Oilers would have a good chunk of money tied up in the goaltending.
The Oilers were rumored to be in on a few names in the goalie market. Among them were Darcy Kuemper out of Arizona, Matt Murray out of Pittsburgh and potentially others. Markstrom would be unique in that he’d be coming in as a free agent and the Oilers wouldn’t be able to shed salary to land him.
Vancouver Letting Salary Leave
Earlier on Tuesday it was reported that Tyler Toffoli would be leaving Vancouver and testing the free agent market on Friday. The assumption was that the Canucks didn’t have the cap space to keep the forward, potentially because he GM Jim Benning was leaving room to land Oliver Ekman-Larsson. If Benning lets Markstrom walk as well, that’s another indication he’s trying to keep as much money available as possible.
As a little side not, Friedman also said everyone is expecting Henrik Lundqvist will become a member of the Washington Capitals.
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