With the NHL trade deadline now just three weeks away, the trade rumors are out in full force. Here are the latest:
Smyth Broadway Bound?
When Ryan Smyth returned to Edmonton this offseason, it was an emotional experience. The 35-year-old veteran was back home with the team that drafted him first overall back in the 1994 entry draft.
However, Smyth has yet to have his name engraved on Lord Stanley’s Cup, and with the Oilers sitting 13th in the Western Conference, 11 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot, he’ll have to be traded to complete the dream.
The New York Post reported Friday a “well-placed source” said Smyth “would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause” to pursue a Stanley Cup championship with the New York Rangers.
Some insiders believe Smyth would agree to be dealt to a Cup contender if Oilers management were to guarantee re-signing him this summer, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
However, Smyth has claimed that all of this is news to him. He seems dead set on retiring as an Oiler, but as the deadline approaches, the urge may be to great for him to pass up one more opportunity at winning a Cup.
Teams Still Considering Carter?
Columbus Blue Jackets center Jeff Carter remains prevalent in trade rumors, though, there doesn’t seem to be any teams making a strong push for his services at the moment.
TSN’s Darren Dreger claimed the Los Angeles Kings had “moderate interest” and suggested the Calgary Flames could make a pitch, though his salary would be difficult to fit into their payroll.
Carter currently has an average annual salary of $5.3 million per season for 10 more years.
Gagner Still a Goner?
After Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner has his offensive explosion—11 points in two games, including eight points in an 8-4 victory over Chicago—it’s hard to see why management would ship him now.
However, this outburst could be the extra leverage the Oilers can use to deal him. Prior to his last two games, Gagner had just five goals and 22 points and had been relegated to the third line for most of the season.
Gagner, another one of the Oilers’ former first-round picks, is still only 22 and has loads of potential. Bottom line, if a team is going to look for a trade, they will have to give up an awful lot in return for Gagner.
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