According to TSN’s Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers have a very specific need heading into the NHL Trade Deadline and it will be interesting to see if GM Ken Holland can get what he’s looking for with a fourth-round pick going back to the team that offers it.
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Seravalli noted that Edmonton’s needs aren’t flashy, but they would like a right-shot center who can win faceoffs on the penalty kill. It’s an area the team has struggled in this season and one they thought they addressed with the signing of Kyle Turris in the offseason, but it’s still an issue. Seravalli says there are a few candidates that fit.
His first choice was Luke Glendening out of Detroit where the pending UFA won’t be returning to the Red Wings next season. He’s got great faceoff numbers and while his production offensively isn’t very high, — 3 goals and 9 points in 31 games — he’s a relatively inexpensive cap hit at $1.8 million and the Oilers could likely make that work despite not much cap room to add.
The other options are Brandon Sutter out of Vancouver and Calgary’s Derek Ryan. Sutter’s offensive numbers aren’t actually better than Glendening’s but his cap hit is much higher at cap hit of $4.375 million. Ryan is a $3.125 cap hit and has produced a bit more in fewer games.
The 14-Day Quarantine Issue
With the expected change of 14-day quarantine moving down to seven days, this is great news for Ken Holland if he’s interested in trading with Detroit. He could move a pick for Glendening without taking anything off his roster, then just needs to wait four games or so before the center can join the team.
And, because Glendenning is 31 years old, the expected setback that might have come with a player like Eric Staal wouldn’t be as obvious. The question will be if Detroit is willing to move him for a fourth-round pick or if they’ll want more because he’s going to be an affordable coveted depth piece for a few teams.
Next: Delayed Oilers and Canadiens Games to Huge Playoff Implications
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