Rumour roundup: Oilers to make desperate move?

Chiarelli is on the hot seat. something has to give.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Rumour roundup: Oilers to make desperate move?
KeyStone Press

The Edmonton Oilers are spiralling to the bottom of the standings - a scene all too familiar to fans over the last decade, and one thought to be over after last year's resurgence.

With head coach Todd McLellan seemingly at a loss for his team's struggles through the first quarter of the season, Peter Chiarelli's competence as general manager is being put into question, and insiders/analysts are wondering what it will take to right the ship.

Will the desperation move be to fire Chiarelli or McLellan? Or rather to make a major deal?

Chiarelli's track record in big trade deals is not pretty - the returns on Tyler Seguin, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and the likes haven't yielded the best results. Adam Larsson is an important addition, but the lack of scoring and overall defensive play is a concern.

Not to mention Cam Talbot's unexpected struggles this season.

The big names in play in Edmonton from all appearances are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (as usual) and Ryan Strome - after recently being acquired from the New York Islanders.

There was speculation of Chiarelli doing the dance with the Montreal Canadiens, another Canadian team failing to meet expectations this season. The talks were around Carey Price, and the media speculation had potentially Leon Draisaitl going the other way. Suffice it to say, that trade scenario seems almost too desperate to actually happen.

That being said, it would surely shake up both clubs and make for one of the biggest headlines of the year.

All this being said, the clock is ticking on this season, and missing the playoffs, and at the bottom of the standings at that, would mark a huge step backwards for the Albertan club.

You're on the clock, Pete.

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