Early rumblings of a huge trade between the Oilers and Flames.

The National Hockey League can be a very interesting place at times.

To be honest with you my first instinct whenever I hear about the possibility of a trade between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers is to dismiss the notion entirely. Although the possibility of such a deal has come up more and more often in recent years I always find myself wondering if 2 teams with such a long and storied rivalry would every truly pull the trigger on such a deal. The Flames and Oilers not only compete in the same province for the love of the very same fans, but they are also arguably the 2 teams in the NHL that hold the most animosity towards one another dating back as far as anyone can care to remember. This of course makes the dynamic of trading with one another considerably more treacherous for both sides as any perceived victory or defeat by either side in a trade deal could have long lasting ramifications for the general manager who made the trade.

In spite of that however I would be lying if I tried to suggest that my curiosity was not triggered earlier this week when Sportsnet's National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman hinted at a potential trade between the 2 rivals. For one Friedman is an extremely knowledgeable source in the world of hockey which lends a great deal of credibility to his speculation, and for another it is clear that both of the teams involved here each have a particular problem that they would like to unload if at all possible. Friedman was a guest on Oilers Now with Oilers insider Bob Staffer when he was asked about the possibility of Calgary Flames veteran forward James Neal getting traded, Friedman not only acknowledged the likelihood of such a trade, but also linked the Edmonton Oilers to a potential move involving Neal as well.

“I think Calgary is trying to see what the market is for James Neal,” said Friedman during the radio hit. “They really have only two options with him. You bring him back and you hope that whatever bothered him last year doesn’t bother him and he’s better and it creates a market for him. Or you make a move now where you have to accept another contract in return. But he’s definitely available. I have heard that Edmonton at least  kicked tires on it. It makes sense. A big contract has to go back (to Calgary).”

As I mentioned earlier the Oilers have a big problem of their own that they are trying to unload this offseason in the form of veteran forward Milan Lucic. In order for a Neal trade to happen another bad contract would almost certainly have to come back the other way, and Staffer was quick to ask Friedman about a possible Neal for Lucic trade. Friedman however threw a lot of cold water on that possibility, indicating that he does not believe Calgary would be so quick to pull the trigger on such a trade.

“I didn’t say it. Lucic is such a flash point I don’t even almost don’t even want to go there. Because I know what that’s going to turn into. But if it was that  — and to be honest I don’t think it’s going to happen with Edmonton I just think the Oilers at least talked about the possibility because he’s a scorer and you guys need scorers. I don’t see the fit (of a Neal to Edmonton deal). I don’t see that kind of move happening. But I think you guys, at least, considered the idea. I don’t see Calgary doing that, but I think you guys at least considered the idea.”

Could the Oilers sweeten the pot to get the Flames to bite? It seems unlikely given the aforementioned rivalry between these two teams, but it certainly would be something to see Neal and Lucic suited up on the opposite sides of the ice the next time these two squads face off in the Battle of Alberta.