Rumor: Rumblings of a big trade between Rangers and Oilers

Despite being two of the worst teams in the NHL this past season, both the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers are mired in salary cap problems. Both teams are up tight against the cap for next season and have had difficulty offloading heavy contracts for players like Kevin Shattenkirk and Milan Lucic.

According to a report from Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post the Rangers have put forwards Pavel Buchnevich and Vladislav Namestnikov on the trade block and Oilers insider David Stapes of the Edmonton Journal believes the Oilers will take a run at Buchnevich.

Oilers general manager Ken Holland has made it public knowledge that he’d like to bring in a winger with 20+ goal scoring potential and Buchnevich certainly seems to fit the billing. Who could the Oilers offer up in return? How about Jesse Puljujarvi?

From Staples:

I wonder if Jesse Puljujarvi might be part of the trade package for a Buchnevich…

The Rangers already had to trade away third-line winger Jimmy Vesey for a third round pick. Buchnevich will likely cost more than that in a trade, as he’s a younger, better player than Vesey. But the Rangers aren’t in much of a position to bargain hard. They have about $7.0 million left in cap space this year, but have three expensive players to sign in Jacob Trouba, Anthony DeAngelo and Buchnevich. They also have to sign RFA Brendan Lemieux, whom I would love to see the Oilers offer sheet.

I wouldn’t hold out on an offer sheet for Brendan Lemieux of all people… but a Buchnevich for Puljujarvi trade doesn’t seem so far fetched. Thoughts?