Oilers could be busy at trade deadline as they have marketable assets
I know the trade deadline is two months away, but what would the market be for unrestricted free agents like Ales Hemsky, Nick Schultz and Ryan Jones? Second or third-rounders because they are players contenders would want? What about Devan Dubnyk/Ilya Bryzgalov and Corey Potter?
(Suril Shah)
A: The trade deadline is March 5, an off-day between home games against Ottawa and the New York Islanders. Draft picks seem to be the compensation of choice for teams at the deadline and it’s often second-rounders, although Jason Pominville brought Buffalo a truckload last trade deadline from Minnesota: Goalie Matt Hackett, a good prospect forward in Johan Larsson, a 2013 first-round pick (Sabres took defenceman Nikita Zadorov) and a second-rounder.
Hemsky had 451 points in 597 games going into this season and Pominville 465 in 588, pretty comparable. Hemsky is 30, Pominville was 30 when traded to the Wild. I’m not saying the Oilers would get that much, but it’s a point of reference.
The Oilers need prospects more than more draft picks in my opinion. I firmly feel the Oilers will listen to offers for both Dubnyk and Bryzgalov at the deadline. And they will be offered draft picks (second through seventh for Oiler players).
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Matty+Hall+player+Taylor+been+tops+this/9356447/story.html