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Seven teams in the mix for Eberle, two teams believed to be “front-runners.”

Seven teams in the mix for Eberle, two teams believed to be “front-runners.”

This trade is almost certainly happening.

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

Well the rumors of the Edmonton Oilers trading forward Jordan Eberle has brought a lot of interested parties to general manager Peter Chiarelli's table.

According to TSN insider Darren Dreger, as many as seven teams have approached the Oilers about the possibility of acquiring Eberle, although two of those teams appear to be the clear front-runners.

“My sense as of yesterday was that there were at least six, maybe seven teams in," said Dreger as per Fanrag's Chris Nichols. "The two that seem to be near the top of the front-runner list are the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Islanders."

It sounds like while the Oilers have very much committed to moving Eberle, they aren't willing to do it for nothing, and Dreger believes Chiarelli may be holding out for a big offer before pulling the trigger.

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“So it’s something that we’re going to have to continue to monitor, but what’s the return? Does Edmonton get a winger back, like a third-line player in a smaller deal so that they can absorb the cap relief moving Eberle’s contract out? Or can they be patient, and finally Garth Snow goes, ‘Okay, well I need that player just to keep John Tavares happy to keep him in the mix here long term, so I’m willing to give up on Travis Hamonic.’

“I think there’s a bit of gamesmanship that’s happening in this process.”

We expect the move to take place before the trade freeze on Saturday.