In a recent article for The Athletic (subscription required), TSN insider Pierre LeBrun noted that the talk surrounding Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is starting to heat up. And, there are at least three teams specifically in the race: the Edmonton Oilers, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Boston Bruins.
Saying he doesn’t believe there have been any in-depth contract talks between the Ottawa Senators and Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s camp to date, there’s still time but the more likely possibility is that the forward is traded before February 24th.
LeBrun writes:
And if Pageau does end up on the trade market, he’ll be a hot commodity. I believe Edmonton, if the Oilers stay in the race, have Pageau on their target list. I think Philadelphia would get engaged depending on where the Nolan Patrick situation stands. Maybe Boston, given that he’s a right-hand shot?
The Oilers and Pageau
When describing the interest the Edmonton Oilers might have, Lebrun goes so far as to call the Oilers as active lookers for someone that can help them now if they stay in the playoff race. The Oilers have long-been rumored as a team that might have an interest in Pageau but the asking price will be the key.
Unwilling to give up a first-round pick for Hall, if the demand for Pageau rises enough, it make take the Oilers out of the conversation.
Related: Maple Leafs Update: Reilly Out Eight Weeks, Sandin Called Up
The Bruins and Pageau
Another team top-heavy like the Oilers, Boston has been keying in on players all season that might provide additional depth in their top-nine. Practically a lock to make the playoffs this season, Boston may be looking at more than one piece for their run and Pageau could be part of a bigger plan.
The Flyers and Pageau
Where the Philadelphia Flyers differ from the other two teams is that they’re unsure of their immediate future based on the uncertainty surrounding Nolan Patrick and his condition. If Patrick isn’t able to go, the Flyers might make a serious run at someone. If he is, the Flyers may need to hold off.
Could Pageau Stay in Ottawa?
The likelihood that Pageau leaves the Senators the more teams come to the forefront of trade talks, the more likely he leaves. His asking price was already high and if a team is willing to meet it, how the Senators don’t make a move would be baffling.
That said, LeBrun does say it won’t be an easy decision. “Given some of the notable player departures of the past few years, including Mark Stone at last year’s deadline, I would think getting a local product from Gatineau, Quebec, signed like Pageau would carry some PR swing on top of the more important hockey reasons for doing so.”
Related: Draisaitl Says He Won’t Play Alongside Tkachuk at All-Star Game
