Rumor mill: Tarasenko to Chicago to help Bedard, O’Reilly to Vancouver

The Oilers are one of many teams that will be aggressive this summer.

At least, that’s what I understand when I read David Pagnotta tweeting that the team is looking to add a quality forward AND a quality defenseman in the coming months.

To that end, the Oilers could look to Philip Broberg in a potential deal.

Broberg, a first-round pick in 2019 (8th overall), is a fine NHL prospect at the defenseman position and could become interesting for a team looking to add youth to its lineup.

Now we have to wonder what the Oilers are willing to do to bring in help for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

If they play their cards right… they just might make it.

Ryan O’Reilly in Vancouver?

The scenario doesn’t make much sense to me.

Elliotte Friedman wondered in his podcast if the Canucks might be interested in signing Ryan O’Reilly, with Vancouver looking to add a center to their lineup.

On the Canucks’ side, there’s no doubt that adding a good veteran like O’Reilly would help the team in one way or another. But as for O’Reilly, I simply don’t see why he would decide to commit to a team that has been searching for so many years.

At his age, I see him getting along much better with a team that can aspire to big honors in the near future… Because if you take into account his declining production, maybe he doesn’t have much left to give in the NHL.

But O’Reilly is a good veteran and has the potential to help the Canucks’ young roster. I’d understand if the Canucks had any real interest in the center forward this summer.

Vladimir Tarasenko in Chicago… To complement Connor Bedard?

Vladimir Tarasenko was acquired from the Rangers at the last NHL trade deadline.

He turned out to be a rental player, as the Russian finds himself without a contract for next season, and eligible for full autonomy…

And the same Elliotte Friedman wondered if he could complement Connor Bedard in Chicago next year.

You know what I think? I really like the idea.

The Hawks could provide Bedsy with (at least) one quality winger, and the addition of a sharpshooter like Tarasenko would certainly help him rack up points, even in his first NHL season.

Still…

I’m not really worried about the phenomenon’s offensive production. It may be a bit daring, but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him reach the 90-point plateau as early as next year…

Especially if he can count on Tarasenko on the wing.

Jordan Staal and Anthony Duclair about to leave their respective teams?

These are two completely different cases, but two interesting ones nonetheless.

Jordan Staal, who wears the “C” on his Carolina jersey, could well leave the Hurricanes this summer. At least, that’s what it looks like when you consider that discussions haven’t begun between his clan and that of the team regarding a possible contract extension.

The veteran center could test the free agent market… But Darren Dreger reminds us that there’s a good chance the situation will take a different turn soon.

Duclair, on the other hand, is younger and could land a nice contract in the summer of 2024. That’s the major difference between him and Staal: Duclair still has a year left on his current contract.

But there’s a certain similarity in that he, too, could leave his club this summer. The Panthers are looking for a defenseman…

And Pierre LeBrun has mentioned his name in a potential deal to send Noah Hanifin to sunny Florida. Still, it’s not crazy.

Capitals actively trying to move up in the draft

This is particularly interesting. That’s because we know the Capitals’ desire to draft Matvei Michkov.

David Pagnotta reported earlier on Twitter that the Washington team is currently trying to move up in the draft. Obviously, there are easy connections to be made between that and Michkov…

And you have to wonder just how serious they are about it.

We know that Kent Hughes is currently using Michkov to muddy the waters at the next draft, and if Michkov is still available at No. 5, which is when the CH will have to talk…

Maybe the Habs’ GM could dance with the Capitals’. Makes sense to me.

In the same tweet, Pagnotta reports that the Leafs are looking to trade their 28th overall pick for immediate help.

Are we talking about a defenseman? A forward? A goalie?

That’s the question.

In brief

– He had a great season in Detroit.

– Happy reading.

– Where will he end up?

– Minor signing in Minnesota.

– He’s too dominant.