Trade and Rumor talk about the Oilers, Flyers and Ducks
I heard the Nashville Predators poked around Bryzgalov, too. But that was denied like a layup attempt over Dikembe Mutombo.
One of the rumoured goalies Edmonton checked out was Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks. A couple of GMs thought there was no way this would happen because Ducks GM Bob Murray tries hard not to trade within his own (Pacific) division. Apparently, some of the offers for Bobby Ryan were from that area. Murray wanted no part of that and Ryan was traded to Ottawa.
The minimal return the Oilers received for Ladislav Smid stunned some people. But ultimately, this will be decided by two things: How well Laurent Brossoit develops and what Edmonton does with the cap space. There weren’t a ton of teams who knew Smid was available, either. One exec expressed surprise at hearing the trade, while another scout said he’d known for about two weeks. I had heard Washington was very interested, which makes sense. But that was denied (I was denied more this week than in all of high school – impressive feat).
Amid the Wayne Simmonds to Edmonton rumours were similar reactions from execs. You can never, ever, predict what the Philadelphia Flyers will do. But trading Simmonds would be an unexpected move in the eyes of others.
As Oilers GM Craig MacTavish was tracked across the Eastern seaboard last week, another GM said he finds it impossible to scout games in person because his presence creates a zoo.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2013/11/30-thoughts-wild-prosper-from-playing-puck-more.html