NHL Rumors: Oilers, Canucks, Predators, Avalanche – Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today's NHL rumor mill, the Edmonton Oilers traded Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks after first trading Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks. Are these deals indicative of where the Oilers will go with the offer sheets handed out to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway? Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators have been notified that Yaroslav Askarov is requesting a trade. Finally, did the Colorado Avalanche get news on Gabriel Landeskog's status?

Will Oilers Match Broberg and Holloway Offer Sheets?

When the Oilers traded for Podkolzin, the immediate reaction among many insiders and fans was that Edmonton had acquired a player they believed could replace Holloway. But, when the Oilers trade Cody Ceci to the Sharks, they may have given themselves enough cap space with Evander Kane on LTIR to match both Broberg and Holloway's offer sheets. Mark Spector writes:

Put Evander Kane on long-term injured reserve to start the season, send a veteran with an $850,000-plus cap hit — possibly one of rookies Emberson or Podkolzin, or Josh Brown — and the Oilers can keep both Broberg and Holloway and played a major role. it is agreeable.

The Oilers' cost to move the defenseman was lower than rumored and Edmonton attached a third player through 2025 to the deal. However, the Oilers acquired defenseman Ty Emberson in the trade. He can make the roster as a deep defender.

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According to PuckPedia, Edmonton can match both offer sheets – if they match both and Evander Kane returns with everyone healthy, the Oilers can only match one trade. If they match up with Broberg but not Holloway, the Oilers could very well comply if Kane returns from LTIR without needing another trade.

There is some question about how the power of matching the two offers will sound in the Oilers locker room, but that announcement has not been made and the pros are not. If Holloway and Broberg do well, most, if not all, will be forgiven.

Why is there such a low return for the Canucks?

Some fans in Vancouver were surprised at how little it took for the Oilers to find a strong prospect. A fourth-round pick in 2025 isn't much. However, it seems the Canucks thought they were going to lose him for nothing and found a trade partner in Edmonton.

Rick Dhaliwal reported, “Podkolzin has 4 goals in his last 58 games with the Canucks. You were no better than a 4th round pick. The Canucks got something like nothing else from the waiver. They can't wait forever for him to be an everyday NHL player.” Thomas Drance of The Athletic writes, “Podkolzin was off the charts and a lack of progress last season seriously hurt his chances of becoming a top-6 contributor.” A change of scenery was probably the best.”

Askarov Requests Rape Exchange

According to ESPN analyst and NHL insider Kevin Weekes, Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov has told the organization that he will not report to the AHL team and has requested a trade. Not willing to go to the Milwaukee Admirals, it's unclear if the Predators are open to a net trade.

Both Juuse Saros and veteran Scott Wedgewood appeared to be ahead of Askarov on the Predators depth chart and after Saros was signed to a long-term extension ($7.74 million per season through 2033) it became clear that Askarov was not going to be able to get the starting job. anytime soon.

Landeskog Could Return Early In The Season

NHL.com's Tom Gulitti writes, “Gabriel Landeskog isn't expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, but it may not be long before he's back in a Colorado Avalanche uniform.”

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar told reporters Saturday that the team is excited about that prospect since Landeskog hasn't played for the Avs in two years.