On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson: GM Peter Chiarelli when asked if Milan Lucic has asked for a trade, he gave a quick “No Comment.”
Edmonton Oilers: GM Chiarelli on their No. 10 first-round pick: “We would look to move the pick if the right player is available… I’ve had some discussions with some teams.”
Edmonton Oilers: Chiarelli on if they make the pick: “There are some good defencemen in the top part of the draft, but we’re going to take the best player available.”
Jim Matheson: “We’ve said this for weeks but the 10th overall pick is a middling pick for another team for a right-shot D (Parayko, Faulk, Barrie) unless Oilers are probably throwing in a live body too.”
Ryan Rishaug: “Chiarelli made it clear he’s open for business with the 10th pick, targeting a defenceman that can help them now. Wasn’t certain he’d get anything done, and said if the same D comes back next season he’s ok with that. He’s not as picky about R or L shot as some may assume.”
TSN: Bob McKenzie said the Oilers preferably looking for a right-handed offensive defenseman, and that there is no question they are willing to move their No. 10 pick in the draft.
“Everyone wants one of those. And Edmonton desperately needs one, but if they had a really good left-shot offensive defenceman who became available, they’d certainly look at that too for that 10th pick or some other assets. That’s their number one priority, their number one goal is to try and get that.
“The guy they really want, I think, is not available. His name is Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators. A year left on his contract. David Poile’s number one priority is to extend him this summer. If he doesn’t get extended then he could perhaps become available, but not in time for this weekend.”
Jim Matheson: Right-handed defensemen in trades are like gold. The Calgary Flames reportedly have Dougie Hamilton available.
Jim Matheson: When Hamilton was still the Boston Bruins, Chiarelli looked into Hamilton but the Bruins weren’t that interested in trading with their former GM.
