Oilers and Hawks were planning “something big” before Chiarelli got fired!

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, with some untouchables. The classics: Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews aren’t going anywhere and while GM Stan Bowman might ask veteran blue liner Duncan Keith to waive his full no-movement clause, nothing indicates that he will be willing to do it. 

“I think they’re selling. I do,” began Elliotte Friedman on Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday. “I think the problem is you’re not trading Kane, you’re not trading Toews, Seabrook is a tough one to do. I think at some point in time they will ask Duncan Keith would he be willing to do it, I just don’t know if that time is going to be now.”

As he discussed the Hawks’ possibilities ahead of the trade deadline, Friedman revealed that while Chicago had its untouchables, it seemed like something big was in the works with the Edmonton Oilers before GM Peter Chiarelli was fired last week. 

“I think it’s probably just those two,” said Friedman of Kane and Toews as untouchables before he qualified the answer after having had a moment to think. 

“Actually, I shouldn’t say that,” he continued. “I’m sure their best young players like Jokiharju - I’m sure they’re not interested in trading those guys. Those are the guys you’re building your - like, are they trading DeBrincat? No, I can’t see it. 

“Before Peter Chiarelli got fired, I heard they were talking about something potentially big with Edmonton. But I don’t even know if that’s still on the map anymore. But I don’t know what they would have to give up that would really make Edmonton a ton better.”

While Friedman did not reveal what was discussed on the trade, it remains to be seen if it is still in the works now that assistant GM Keith Gretzky has taken over in Edmonton. 

Fans will surely keep an eye on this and won’t be able to blame Chiarelli if it’s a bad move...