NHL Rumors: Canucks, Oilers, Rangers – The Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s NHL rumors, several teams made deals on Wednesday to get ahead of the NHL roster freeze on Friday. Will there be more offers in the next few hours? The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly aggressive. What are they trying to add and do they have a specific goal in mind? Meanwhile, could the Edmonton Oilers have a conversation with Jeff Skinner about a trade before the deadline? Is there a better fit than Edmonton? Will Chris Drury finally make a big move in New York?

Canucks eager to make a move

The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly ramping up efforts to beef up their roster with a significant trade, with the goal of adding an impact defenseman who can move the puck effectively. President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford, known for his aggressive management style, is on the lookout; according to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, The Canucks are working against the clock to get a deal done.

“I’m told the Canucks feel they’ve made some progress in their search for an impact defenseman,” Seravalli reported. “There seems to be a heightened sense of urgency over the last 24 to 48 hours as to whether or not they’re even going to be able to get anything done before the trading halt starts.”

Seravalli noted that while no specific team or player has been named, there are rumblings they really like Bowen Byram of Buffalo. Elliotte Friedman by SportsnetPierre LeBrun by TSNand Rick Dhaliwal have all highlighted Vancouver’s interest in Byram. While Elias Pettersson’s hypothetical trade proposal involving Byram and Dylan Cozens remains purely speculative, reports confirm that discussions between the Canucks and Sabers have taken place.

“I’m certainly not guaranteeing that it’s going to happen, but they think they’ve made some progress here. So stay tuned,” said Seravalli.

Skinner and Oilers to talk wrong fit and possible trade?

Jason Strudwick of Got Yer’ Back podcast said on the show — and then repeated it with Jason Gregor on Sports 1440 — that he’s under the impression the Edmonton Oilers and forward Jeff Skinner will eventually have a conversation about finding a new place for him to play. As good as Skinner is, the chemistry isn’t there.

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Arguing that his roster spot is slipping away, Skinner was moved down to the fourth line with the return of Viktor Arvidsson and the Oilers as what Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen have brought to Leon Draisaitl’s line. If Skinner can’t get a spot in the top six, the two sides might realize that Skinner in Edmonton isn’t a good fit.

Strudwick believes Skinner could be open to going to a candidate if he gets more playing time. That said, he has a full no-move clause and can squash a trade if he wants to. The Oilers’ recourse would then be to tell Skinner that he is not playing in the postseason, which defeats the purpose of why Skinner signed with the Oilers in the first place.

Is Drury trying to make a big move?

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman joined FAN Hockey Show to talk about the Rangers’ strategy and said they wanted to clear people out. “They’re clearing the deck,” Friedman said. They want to try something big, and insiders are trying to figure out what it will be.

Friedman admitted that Kaapo Kakko needed a fresh start and his New York run was over. It was clear that he was not part of Rangers’ future plans.