Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Nugent-Hopkins back in medical room
February 8
Edmonton Journal
 
"After returning for just two games, Edmonton Oilers rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is back on the shelf with a sprained left shoulder. He will be out seven to 10 days. It is the same shoulder that Nugent-Hopkins first injured on Jan. 2 when he fell into the boards in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. "It's the same area, same shoulder, but a new thing on top," Nugent-Hopkins said on Tuesday. "Compared to the first one, it's not even close … so hopefully I can get back sooner, rather than later.""
Injury bug hits Renney, Nugent-Hopkins
February 7
Edmonton Journal
 
"Just when the Edmonton Oilers finally had a full roster of players to draw from, head coach Tom Renney was held out of a game. The full lineup didn't last long either. Before Monday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was over, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was back in the medical room. The Oilers star rookie, who had missed 13 games with a left shoulder injury, took a hit from Toronto's Mike Brown early in the third and did not return. He aggravated the same shoulder that he injured on Jan. 2 when he fell into the boards in a game against the Blackhawks in Chicago."
Should they stay or should they go?
February 4
Edmonton Journal
 columnist John MacKinnon
"In the wake of Sam Gagner's marvellous eight-point night against the Blackhawks, there was much chatter about the asking price for him either going sharply up, or his coming off the NHL trade market altogether. A better question, three weeks out from the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline, might be: Was the 22-year-old centre ever on offer to begin with? The answer very likely is no, especially since Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is all about step-by-step development and having the patience to stick with that process. Speaking of process, Tambellini met with his pro scouting staff on Friday in Edmonton as part of the preparation for the trade deadline. Now, one game, however spectacular, is just one"
Source: Rangers on Smyth's radar
February 3
New York Post
 
"If general manager Glen Sather is interested in reuniting with Ryan Smyth by acquiring Edmonton's veteran left wing to bolster the Rangers' attack, the feeling may well be a reciprocal one, The Post has learned. A well-placed source told The Post that Smyth, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by Sather and then played the first five years under his direction while he was general manager of the Oilers, would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause in order to pursue a Cup on Broadway. The Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who have scored 17 goals in their last nine games and have been limited to two goals or fewer in 20 of their 49 matches, are seeking to add both"
Oilers front office under rebuild?
January 23
Edmonton Sun
 
"If you're waiting for Steve Tambellini to be served up as some sort of sacrifice for the way the Edmonton Oilers season has toileted for the third year in a row, forget about it. While he's in the final year of his current contract, your correspondent has learned that Tambellini will not be a lame-duck general manager going forward to the trade deadline or the draft. Tambellini will be given the opportunity with a contract extension to carry on through additional years of the massive rebuild. Indeed, sometime between the all-star break and the trade deadline, it is expected Oilers' owner Daryl Katz and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe will sit down and work out the arrangements of"
Mishap for Oilers' Hall sparks rumours
January 19
Edmonton Sun
 
"Taylor Hall was somewhat surprised to hear that he was done for the season. Especially since he's trying to be back in the Edmonton Oilers lineup by Thursday. A day after cutting his forehead on a skate blade during the pre-game warm-up in Columbus, the Oilers winger was still making news, real and otherwise. Management kept Hall away from practice and the media on Wednesday and the ensuing gap in information led to internet rumours that the prized winger would not be back this season."
Eberle to be a spectator on road trip
January 17
Edmonton Journal
 
"The Edmonton Oilers packed Jordan Eberle's hockey gear for the charter flight to Columbus on Monday morning, but he'll likely only be skating in practice, not playing against the Blue Jackets or against the Blues on Thursday in St. Louis. You won't see No. 14 on your TV screen on Tuesday night. Eberle, who has 43 points, sprained his right knee in Dallas on Jan. 7 when he got tangled up with Stars forward Jamie Benn, might be ready to play against the Calgary Flames when they're at Rexall Place on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night. That would be exactly two weeks from the time he was hurt. They did say he'd be out two to three weeks. If he plays, will the National Hockey League"
Oilers' says Nugent-Hopkins out 3-4 weeks
January 6
Edmonton Sun
 
"In a year of firsts for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, another one has been added to the list. The Edmonton Oilers rookie will be out three to four weeks with a left shoulder injury, marking the first time he'll miss games for an extended period. "It's actually the first time I've ever missed a game because of an injury," said Nugent-Hopkins on Thursday. "This is new to me and I'm just going to try to take care of it as best I can. "It's a little bit sore, and personally, I want to be out there and help out any way I can. But I have to take it for what it is and recover the best I can.""
Hemsky's future with Oilers murky as trade deadline approaches
December 29
Edmonton Journal
 
"Veteran winger Ales Hemsky has arrived at a crossroads in his NHL career. The Edmonton Oilers have 25 games remaining before the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Will Hemsky be in play? Does he want to stay in Edmonton? For now, the 28-year-old Czech Republic product just wants to play, after missing the last two games with a sinus infection. Hemsky was wearing a blue non-contact jersey at practice in Leduc on Wednesday morning, but he'll skate at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Thursday morning and see if he's up to it."
Oilers take their time with Hall
December 8
Edmonton Journal
 
"In his heart of hearts, Taylor Hall would like to play this weekend against the Flames in Calgary. Unfortunately, his head, which is a truer arbiter of all things medical, is telling Hall he can't hurry the rehabilitation after he damaged his shoulder two weeks ago this Saturday. "I can shoot and pass and don't have any pain ... there's some discomfort but, for the most part, I'm very happy with how it's coming along," said Hall, who skated with the Oilers on Wednesday morning as they prepared for the Carolina Hurricanes. "I'm supposed to get assessed by the (team) doctors during the game (Wednesday) to see how it is." If Hall gets the green light, he could take contact on Thursday, but"
Oilers' Hall hits the ice
December 2
Edmonton Sun
 
"The ice was right there, so what's Taylor Hall going to do? Not skate? Fat chance. When you were born to be a hockey player, a fresh, empty sheet is almost impossible to resist. So, with the rest of the Edmonton Oilers working out in the team gym, and with the blessing of the training staff, the injured winger went for his first twirl since banging up his shoulder in Denver last Saturday. "It's a good feeling to be out there and doing things that I didn't think I'd be doing this far ahead," said the 20-year-old sophomore. "I'm not sure if they thought I was going to be out there as soon as this. It feels good to be out so fast and a little bit ahead of schedule. "To be out there shooting"
'Dynamic' Ryan Whitney returns to Oilers lineup
November 25
Edmonton Journal
 
"He's baaacckk! Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney, who has only played 65 minutes and 14 seconds during the last 11 months, will return to action Friday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild. Whitney needed surgery on his right ankle after damaging a tendon on Dec. 28, 2010, against the Buffalo Sabres. He missed the first four regular-season games this season because the ankle wasn't quite ready. Then, he sprained his right knee against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 25. "This is like making a trade. There's no cost to us except for T.D.'s (trainer T.D. Forss) time," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney. "This certainly will fortify our look. He's a pretty dynamic player.""
RNH going where few have gone before
November 24
Edmonton Journal
 
"When somebody asked Ryan Nugent-Hopkins if he thought he could be a point-a-game rookie several weeks back, he did what he does best. He stickhandled. "Geez, I don't know. The National Hockey League is a very tough league," he said. Well, Nugent-Hopkins has 22 points in 21 Edmonton Oilers games. Only 20 rookies in NHL history have managed at least 82 points, including Peter Stastny (109 in 1980-81 with the Quebec Nordiques), Stastny's brothers Marian (89) and Anton (85), plus Mikael Renberg (82). Only 51 rookies have racked up even 70 points, including current Montreal Canadiens centre Scott Gomez in a tie with Billy Mosienko, who is in the record book for the fastest three goals (21"
Oilers recall defenceman Alex Plante for Nashville game
November 22
Edmonton Journal
 
"The Oilers have called up defenceman Alex Plante for their game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. The Oklahoma City farmhand took an early morning flight to Dallas and into Nashville. There was no immediate word on whether a blueliner was hurt against the Stars on Monday or whether Colten Teubert or Taylor Chorney was returning to the farm club."
Chorney back with Oilers
November 20
Edmonton Sun
 
"One has to excuse Taylor Chorney for needing to double-check his jersey. The Edmonton Oilers defenceman has played for three different teams in the last month and-a-half. On Saturday, Chorney was back in the Oilers lineup, having been recalled by the club from the American Hockey League affiliate in Oklahoma City. "It's been a crazy last six weeks just travelling around," Chorney said. "I went to St. Louis for a bit, got a couple of games there, went to Ok City and now I'm back here. I'm definitely happy to be here, this is where I want to be, this is the team I want to make it with, so I'm very excited to be back." The Oilers had lost Chorney for a while after he was claimed off waivers"
Ankle surgery should sideline Barker at least three months
November 18
Edmonton Journal
 
"Scratch defenceman Cam Barker from the Edmonton Oilers' lineup for at least three months. Head coach Tom Renney said on Thursday that Barker will undergo ankle surgery in the next day or two. The details of the injury weren't revealed. Nor is it clear how he was hurt. Barker last played in the Nov. 10 game against the Boston Bruins. "We're still trying to find out exactly when he did it. He doesn't even know," said Renney. "He thought there was something wrong with his skate.""
Omark may bolt for Europe if Oilers don't recall him
November 5
Edmonton Journal
 
"Linus Omark has had a propensity to take the direct route when it comes to his hockey career. So when the Swedish left-winger was talking to Tyson Gibbons of PuckLife magazine Friday in Abbotsford, B.C., he made it clear he's not keen on spending the rest of this season in the American Hockey League. Omark had been assigned to the Oklahoma City Barons, the Edmonton Oilers' AHL affiliate, earlier this week and was in the lineup for the Barons 3-2 victory over the Heat. The catch here is that Omark has a clause in his contract that enables him to return to Europe if he is playing in the AHL. It is a clause that kicked in this season. "I want to play (in the) NHL and if no one lets me do that"
Suspension won't drastically alter way Sutton plays
November 3
Edmonton Journal
 
"Andy Sutton knows violent collisions are inevitable at the NHL intersection of Keep Your Head Up and Foot On the Gas, but his road to the puck-carrier will have to change in future or he'll be seeing the NHL's head of player safety, Brendan Shanahan, again. If he has to hit players in today's game, he has to be cognizant of the area of contact. Chest fine. Head no. The Edmonton Oilers defenceman, who will be serving the second game of a five-game suspension Thursday in Los Angeles as a result of his shoulder to Gabriel Landeskog's skull last Friday in Denver, was told he didn't take the proper route or proper precautions as he lined up the 18-year-old."
Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins top NHL rookie for October
November 3
Edmonton Journal
 
"Edmonton Oilers' centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, was named the NHL's rookie of the month for October. The 18-year-old centre had 11 points in 11 games in October which puts him in the top 20 in NHL scoring. He leads the Oilers in points and is tied with Ryan Smyth in goals with five."
Sutton situation on hold
November 1
Edmonton Sun
 
"Andy Sutton spent the afternoon in New York, pleading his case to NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan on Monday. He must have done a decent job because Shanahan is taking some time to think about it before handing down a decision. Sutton hit Colorado rookie Gabriel Landeskog last Friday, an open ice shot with his elbow down, but he's five inches taller than Landeskog and made contact with the head, so he's on the carpet. In the meantime, players are wondering whether to risk throwing body checks if a bang-bang, north-south, elbow down open ice hit with no injury warrants five games."
Edmonton's downtown arena a step closer
October 26
Edmonton Sun
 
"It was at the noon break of the great downtown arena hearing when former mayor Cec Purves caught the same elevator as Bruce Saville. Purves was the early speaking star of Team Nay. By the time the elevator had gone down two floors, Saville had blown up his whole argument. "And who are you?" said Purves. "A former owner of the hockey team," said Saville. Saville, the former senior investor of the Edmonton Investors Group, which kept the Oilers franchise in this city, would later speak and make the biggest impact of the public hearing."
Oilers' Peckham an unhappy scratch
October 26
Edmonton Sun
 
"Theo Peckham is trying to take it all in stride. The Edmonton Oilers defenceman was once again a healthy scratch on Tuesday, as the Vancouver Canucks were in town. "Nobody likes sitting out, it's a tough thing to do," Peckham said. "It's times like this when you have to face adversity. It depends on how you bounce back. It's a situation that a lot of guys have to go through and now it's my turn to go through it." A year ago, Peckham would have been happy to be the team's seventh defenceman, grateful to just be on the club."
Whitney placed on injured reserve, but looks good at practice
October 6
Edmonton Journal
 
"The Edmonton Oilers predictably put defencemen Ryan Whitney and Taylor Fedun plus forwards Ben Eager and Sam Gagner on the injured reserve list at the deadline for submitting their 23-man roster to the NHL's home office on Wednesday, and listed blue-liner Ladislav Smid as available to play, even though he has a sprained shoulder. The Oilers also have defenceman Taylor Chorney, who tweaked his knee last Friday against the Wild in St. Paul, Minn., on their 23-man list. Smid isn't likely to play the Oilers' season-opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday because he was in a no-contact jersey at practice on Wednesday, but Chorney says he's fine. If Whitney doesn't come off IR for the"
Oilers starting goalie for Game 1 a mystery
October 6
Edmonton Journal
 
"Edmonton Oilers fans may have a tad more interest in whether Sidney Crosby plays Sunday at Rexall Place, rather than whether Devan Dubnyk or Nikolai Khabibulin gets the start in goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins. "Yeah, Sid playing? I think he might have the upper hand on me," said a deadpan Dubnyk. Crosby, who hasn't played in nine months because of post-concussion issues, will be on the Penguins' Western Conference swing, but has already ruled himself out for the first game at Vancouver on Thursday. The Penguins' games at Calgary on Saturday and at Edmonton on Sunday are pretty iffy."
Oilers place Brule on waivers
October 3
Edmonton Sun
 
"When he's at the top of his game, Gilbert Brule is a fearless and dynamic talent with speed, grit and a world-class shot. Unfortunately, it seems like the top of his game is located on a greased flag pole, and every time he closes in on his potential he loses his grip and slides back down. Plagued by an endless array of maladies — flu, ankle, stomach, concussion and whatever other elements conspired to derail his progress — Brule only made it to the starting gate 41 times last year and 65 the year before that. Unsure if they can count on him any more, and with young and promising options behind him, the Edmonton Oilers have decided to move on. They placed the 24-year-old centre on waivers"
Oilers prospects suffer first loss in two years
September 15
Toronto Sun
 
"It took two years, but the Edmonton Oilers prospects finally lost one. After going 3-0 in last year's Young Stars Tournament and posting 7-2 and 2-0 wins over Vancouver and Winnipeg this year, they discovered how the other half lives, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Calgary Flames. Sven Baertschi, Calgary's first pick, 13th overall in last summer's draft, scored a pair of goals for Calgary, who dressed seven players who played in the AHL last year (Edmonton had one)."
Teubert busts his beak
September 13
Toronto Sun
 
"When somebody gets hurt in a hockey fight, people who've never dropped a glove in their life always get more worked up about it than the people who have. So Colten Teubert could only roll his eyes and shrug his shoulders when informed of the cyber-bleating that followed his Sunday night fight with Vancouver's Adam Polasek. "That's just people looking into things too much," he said Monday afternoon. "It's always going to be a part of the game and I don't see why there's any issue about it being in a prospects game." Teubert himself won't be in any more prospects games here — he'll sit out the last two with a freshly-broken nose — but has no regrets about the scrap that cut his Young Stars"
Will Nugent-Hopkins catapult from rookie tourney to Oilers roster?
September 10
Edmonton Journal
 
"The label is mighty new, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is settling into his role as a No. 1 pick. He's already lost count of how many times he's declared that he is going to do everything he can to make the Edmonton Oilers club this season. He has had a chance to skate with several of the veterans — one of his "welcome to the NHL" moments — and now he is about to take centre stage at the Young Stars Tournament, which gets underway Sunday in Penticton and wraps up on Thursday. It is the next step for the next one who is expected to help alter the course of the Oilers, a team that has finished 30th in the past two seasons. "I'm going to do everything I can to stand out as much as I can, but I am"
O'Marra, Plante headline "third team" of Oiler rookie-eligibles
September 3
Edmonton Journal Blogs
 
"Ryan O'Marra and Alex Plante have lots in common. Both are big guys with sufficient hockey talent to have been taken in the middle of the first round, 15th overall in each case, in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Both (assets) were acquired by the Edmonton Oilers in the Ryan Smyth trade. Both are defence-first players who have developed at what seems a snail's pace to impatient fans (and let's face it, that's most of us). Despite that perceived snail's pace, I'm not yet ready to proclaim O'Marra or Plante as failed prospects, although it is distinctly possible one or both of them is failing. For now, I consider both to be middle-of-the-road prospects worthy of inclusion on our third team of"
Oilers add a Sutter to staff
August 23
Toronto Sun
 
"Duane Sutter is not sure why it's taken so long for a member of his famous hockey family to work for the Edmonton Oilers. Especially considering they hail from practically the team's back yard. "That's a good question," said Sutter. "I know Brian was drafted by the Oilers back in 1976 (WHA Entry Draft) but never ended up playing there. "Then when Darryl was hired in Calgary, he brought myself and Brent along so we kind of settled down there. But I'm not sure why none of us have gone through Edmonton before. I guess it just wasn't in the cards." That has now changed as the Oilers announced on Monday they had hired Sutter as a professional scout. He'll work under Oilers head pro scout Morey"
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Kings, Oilers in mediation over Ryan Smyth trade
July 13
Los Angeles Times
 (scroll down)
"NHL general counsel David Zimmerman is mediating the dispute between the Kings and Edmonton Oilers over Colin Fraser, who was traded to the Kings for Ryan Smyth. The Kings contend the Oilers misrepresented the extent and nature of Fraser's injuries. "At this point, we are only helping to see if a mutually satisfactory resolution can be agreed to as between the parties," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said via email."
Edmonton Oilers send Cogliano to Ducks
July 13
Edmonton Journal
 
"In the end, it came down to a numbers game as most trades do. Too many players, no chair for Edmonton Oilers' centre Andrew Cogliano, who was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday for a second-round draft pick in 2013. The signing of third-line, strong faceoff guy Eric Belanger on July 1, the arrival of Anton Lander from Sweden, the good work by farmhand centres Chris Vandevelde and Ryan O'Marra late last season, and the ongoing situation with Gilbert Brule, spelled TRADE. Cogliano's ongoing contract situation may have had a slight bearing on the deal, too. He's filed for salary arbitration with the hearing July 21. The Oilers may not have wanted to pay him, say, $1.5 million to $1.7 million"
Oilers add depth, signing Calder Cup hero Ryan Keller
July 5
TSN.ca
 
"The Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with forward Ryan Keller on a one-year, two-way contract worth $625,000. Keller suited up for six NHL games for the Ottawa Senators in 2009-10, registering no points in that span."
Oilers reward Theo Peckham with doubled salary
July 5
Edmonton Journal
 
"The abrasive Teddy Peckman is back on the Edmonton Oilers' blue-line for another season, which should please the colourful Donald S. Cherry, an unabashed fan who one day might stop strangling Peckham's real name, Theo. Peckham, who took a giant step last season while playing 18-1/2 minutes a game — often against the other team's big guns for a bargain basement $550,000, got a raise to $1.075 million. "At the end of the day, we hope he evolves into a top-four (shutdown) defenceman," said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini, who pointed out that Peckham had a high competitive level against "heavy, good players." Tambellini also values Peckham's willingness to rush to the aid of his"
Oilers bring Josh Green back into the fold
July 4
Edmonton Journal
 
"After touring the NHL and the American Hockey League, with a couple of side trips to Europe, Josh Green is returning to the Edmonton Oilers organization. The 33-year-old journeyman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Oilers on Sunday, the first of the depth signings that general manager Steve Tambellini wanted to tend to in the coming days. Green will be pencilled in for a trip to the Oklahoma City Barons, where he'll provide the farm team with size and toughness, but he has enough NHL experience to step in as a substitute forward. "I understand it's an uphill battle for me to stick there but, hopefully, I can get a few games in to see what I can do at the NHL level again," said"
Oilers ink tough guy Eager to three-year contract
July 1
TSN.ca
 
"The Edmonton Oilers have signed tough guy Ben Eager to a three-year $3.3 Million contract. Eager spent last season with the San Jose Sharks, providing seven points and 43 penalty minutes in 34 games played. The 27-year old left winger was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes 23rd overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft."
Souray placed on unconditional waivers by Oilers
June 30
TSN.ca
 
"The Edmonton Oilers have placed veteran defenceman Sheldon Souray on unconditional waivers with the purpose of being bought out. The 35-year-old defenceman spent the entire 2010-11 season with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League after clearing waivers and being send down by the Oilers prior to the season."
Concerns about Fraser's health could void Smyth deal
June 30
TSN.ca
 
"There could be yet another twist in the trade that sent Ryan Smyth from the Los Angeles Kings back to the Edmonton Oilers. a The trade was initially held up because Gilbert Brule, who the Oilers were originally sending to the Kings in the deal, was injured and therefore unable to be bought out upon completion of the trade."
Edmonton Oilers ink Smid for two years
June 30
Edmonton Journal
 
"General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with defenceman Ladislav Smid on a two-year deal. Smid, 25, has spent the past five seasons with Edmonton after being acquired from Anaheim in 2006. Last year the 6'3", 225-pound defenceman appeared in 78 games collecting 10 assists and 85 penalty minutes."
Richards top prize up for grabs when NHL free-agent markeplace opens on Canada Day
June 30
Edmonton Journal
 
"Brian Burke has scoffed at the notion that teams needing help should go on a spending spree when the NHL free-agent marketplace opens for business July 1, But the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager will still try hard to pick off centre Brad Richards, the No. 1 prize up for grabs starting Friday. In a very shallow free-agent crop, Richards is by far the best player available — even if the sticker price goes through the roof. First-line centres who have a Stanley Cup ring — Ricards earned one with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 — and average a point-a-game are in rare supply in the NHL these days. Richards, 31, who played for the Dallas Stars the last four seasons, may get $60 million US"
Stortini set free by Oilers
June 29
Edmonton Journal
 
"Edmonton Oilers winger Zack Stortini is officially a free agent on Friday. The Oilers elected not to send him a qualifying offer to keep his rights, so he joins the marketplace along with J.F. Jacques, who was also set free. The team did send qualifying offers to Ladislav Smid, Andrew Cogliano, Theo Peckham, Taylor Chorney and Ryan O'Marra. Stortini, who cleared waivers in February, spent the last 2- months on their AHL farm team in Oklahoma City. He made $880,000 last season on a one-way contract. He has played 256 games for the Oilers since they drafted him in 2003."
Edmonton Oilers say au revoir to Jacques
June 28
Edmonton Journal
 
"The Edmonton Oilers made the hard call — and the right call — last June when they didn't send Marc Pouliot a qualifying offer to keep his negotiating rights after years of waiting for their 2003 first-round draft pick to become a productive NHL player. A year later, they're doing the same thing with J.F. Jacques, another forward they took in the '03 draft. Jacques, who has had two back surgeries, is finally healthy, but he hasn't been the physical force the Oilers hoped he'd be after taking him in Round 2 of the entry draft eight years ago. They may also set Zack Stortini free on July 1, which is a lot of muscle out the door. But the Oilers haven't released the list of players they"
Oilers re-acquire Ryan Smyth from Kings
June 26
NHL.com
 
"When Ryan Smyth was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the New York Islanders in 2007, he tearfully said that if he won the Stanley Cup with New York that spring he would bring it back to Edmonton. Smyth didn't win the Cup that spring, but now the Banff, Alberta native may get another chance. The Oilers announced Sunday that they had re-acquired Smyth from the Los Angeles Kings, to whom he had been traded in 2009. At the time Smyth was playing for Colorado, who had signed him to a five-year $31.2 million contract in the summer of 2007."
Oilers make defenceman David Musil first pick in Round 2 on Day 2 of NHL entry draft
June 26
Edmonton Journal
 
"David Musil's hockey pedigree has landed him a shot at earning a roster spot with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers made the 18-year-old Vancouver Giants defenceman the first pick in Round 2 of the NHL entry draft at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. The six-foot-three, 193-pound Musil is the son of former Oilers defenceman and current team scout Frank Musil, who was a second-round pick of the Minnesota North Stars 28 years ago. The Oilers took David, who plays for Team Canada junior coach Don Hay's Giants, was picked No. 31 overall — seven spots before the North Stars chose his dad, a tough-nosed Czech defender, at No. 38. Frank, who wound up his NHL career with the Oilers, damaging his"
Oilers make Dillon Simpson, son of ex-Oiler Craig Simpson, first pick in Round 4
June 26
Edmonton Journal
 
"The Edmonton Oilers' old boys club became the young boys club at the NHL entry draft on Saturday. Dillon Simpson, the son of former Oilers forward and ex-assistant coach Craig Simpson, was Edmonton's first pick in Round 4 on Day 2 of the draft. Keegan Lowe, the son of former Oilers defenceman Kevin Lowe, now the team's president of hockey operations, was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 3. Keegan told the Oilers he would rather make his own way in the world and not to consider taking him. "Deep down, I wanted to be an Oiler. This is perfect. We (family) can finally exhale now," said Dillon, who had his dad and his mother, Christine, in the seats at the Xcel Energy Center."
Kings' attempt to trade Ryan Smyth derailed by concerns about Gilbert Brule's physical status
June 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Kings hit a snag while trying to grant Ryan Smyth's wish to return home to Western Canada when a tentative trade with the Oilers was derailed by concerns related to the post-concussion status of Edmonton forward Gilbert Brule. The Kings, surprised when Smyth asked out for family reasons, agreed to take a late draft pick and Brule's $1.85-million salary-cap hit to offset the Oilers' accepting Smyth's $6.25-million cap hit. The Kings planned to quickly trade, waive or buy out Brule to regain cap space to acquire a replacement for Smyth, who scored 23 goals last season. However, the Kings contend the Oilers didn't file the paperwork required to certify Brule's ability to play. Without"
Oilers fail in bid to move disgruntled blue-liner Souray at draft
June 26
Edmonton Journal
 
"Disgruntled veteran defenceman Sheldon Souray is staying in Edmonton — at least for now. While the Chicago Blackhawks dumped defenceman Brian Campbell's $7-million US salary-cap hit on their former general manager Dale Tallon, now GM of the Florida Panthers, on Friday because the Panthers are way below the cap floor and have to take on contracts, the Oilers didn't convince Tallon to take Souray. "I've had discussions with most teams but haven't been able to do anything with Sheldon at this time," said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini, who would like to have moved Souray's $4.5 million salary for a pick at the NHL entry draft this week, but couldn't get anything done, even with the"
Oilers take Klefbom with second pick
June 25
Edmonton Journal
 
"The Edmonton Oilers got their Swedish defenceman in the first round, but it was Oscar Klefbom not Adam Larsson, as they grabbed the abrasive Farjestads blue-liner at No. 19. Klefbom is much more a project than the polished Larsson, who went fourth overall to the New Jersey Devils after the Oilers chose Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Klefbom is playing in the Swedish Elite league, too, but he's not a regular, even though he was captain of the Swedish under 18 team. He has two years left on his contract with league-champion Farjestads so won't be coming over any time soon, but he's what the Oilers need. A defender with some major bite. "How would I describe myself? I think I'm a two-way defenceman,"