EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 6: Oilers forward Taylor Hall is introduced during the closing ceremonies at Rexall Place following the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks on April 6, 2016 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The game was the final game the Oilers played at Rexall Place before moving to Rogers Place next season. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Report: Oilers may be shopping Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

There’s been plenty of trade smoke blowing around the Edmonton Oilers this summer and it’s starting to sound like there may be some real fire at the source of all of those rumors. Specifically, various reports have suggested the team might be willing to part with Taylor Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in order to improve their defense.

By selecting Jesse Puljujarvi at the 2016 NHL Draft, the Oilers added yet another talented forward. Still missing from their roster – something that’s been missing for years – are skilled defensemen who can shut down the opposition while helping out on offense. Puljujarvi is expected to slide in and contribute immediately which would open up the option to trade away a forward or two without completely jeopardizing the team’s attack.

One of the available names could be Kevin Shattenkirk and it’s believed that the St. Louis Blues were interested in a couple of Edmonton’s forwards, including Hall and Jordan Eberle. A trade never transpired during the Draft (the Blues felt all the offers for Shattenkirk were too low) but the defenseman is definitely still on the block and Edmonton might be the ideal trade partner considering all they can offer.

Change is coming for the Oilers. Will this be the summer they finally acquire some help on defense?

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.

Quantcast