Report: Oilers put 1st round pick, Talbot, Puljujarvi on the table in trade talks!?

According to a report from TSN analyst and Edmonton Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug, the Oilers’ management are employing a “full court press” in their effort to find some help at the forward position. Potential trade chips in play are a “first round pick, a goaltender, maybe a young developing forward,” again according to Rishaug.

Check it out:

Speculation online is that the “young developing forward” in play is in fact Jesse Puljujarvi whom Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli drafted 4th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 20 year old Puljujarvi has just 17 goals and 35 points in 127 career NHL games and just four goals and seven points in 34 games with the Oilers this season. While he’s still young, Puljujarvi’s development has stalled this season and he’s had a difficult time putting points up at the NHL level. Ditto for just about any other Oilers draft pick the past five years not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draistaitl…

Rishaug’s TSN colleague Darren Dreger also weighed in on the trade speculation and noted that goaltender Cam Talbot has submitted his 10 team trade list.

Check it out:

Of all these pieces in play though, the most valuable could be the Oilers’ first round pick. Unless things turn around in a hurry the Oilers will miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season and end up in the NHL Draft Lottery. Should the Oilers trade away a top pick AND miss the playoffs… well let’s just say that Chiarelli better begin updating his resume.