NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer on Tuesday that business is ongoing despite the league’s Winter Olympic roster freeze. In fact, Friedman said he received a message from a GM while he was at the Olympics, warning him not to take his eye off the ball. Managers are doing their homework ahead of the trade deadline, including working on key signings for important players.
In other words, Friedman was cautioned that business could be handled by a couple of teams while he and everyone else were busy watching Olympic events.
“One thing I was reminded of today is that you can still sign extensions. Teams are going to want to know by the time that freeze is up, are guys extending with us, or are they going elsewhere? Are they saying no, or are we going to send them elsewhere?”
As for names that teams might want to know more about, there are a few players to potentially keep an eye on. Alex Tuch in Buffalo likely tops the list. Meanwhile, Darren Raddysh in Tampa Bay is being discussed and could be on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ radar. Does Evgeni Malkin sign a new short-term deal now that the Penguins are playing as well as they are? Bobby McMann is popular, but the Leafs need to decide if they want to sign or trade him. The Columbus Blue Jackets are leaning toward signing Boone Jenner, but what if he’s ultimately put on the trade block?
What About the Edmonton Oilers?
When it came to the Edmonton Oilers, whom Stauffer was asking about, Friedman didn’t assume anything was going to happen right at the freeze, but he did think the team would look different. “I think [the Oilers] will look different before the trade deadline. I just don’t know if it’s going to be that fast.”
That included rumors that Paul Coffey would join the coaching staff. Friedman still wasn’t completely sold on the idea, but seemed a bit more aware that there might be something to the rumors. Jason Gregor noted on Sports 1440, “Paul Coffey probably isn’t coming back, but if he does, you probably have to change the head coach. I think he’s more of a GM than a coach”.
Next: To Trade or Not to Trade: That Is the Question for the Canadiens
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