Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal answers some email...

Q: If the Edmonton Oilers were to give up one of their young players, would it be realistic to think they could acquire Corey Perry from the Anaheim Ducks? He’s won a Stanley Cup, he’s a 50-goal scorer, he’s a tough, hard-nosed player. He would seem to be the player the Oilers need.

A: The only way the Oilers would move on Perry would be in a sign-and-trade deal. The Ducks would have to work out the framework of a deal for him for eight years, $9 million per season, for example, then would have to clear it with Perry as to whether he would play in Edmonton since he has a no-trade clause.

The Oilers would have to unequivocally know Perry wanted to play for them. Then, the Oilers could talk to Ducks GM Bob Murray about how much it would cost them.

Yes, it would cost them one of their top four young talents — Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Nail Yakupov. I don’t see them trading Nugent-Hopkins under any circumstances because he’s their first-line centre and centres are harder to find than wingers. I would suspect Anaheim would want two young players for Perry because he’s only 27, but I don’t see them trading two of Hall, Eberle and Yakupov for Perry.

It’s an intriguing argument, especially since they could have had Perry 10 years ago in the Mike Comrie trade that fell apart. It’s my feeling Perry would rather play back east if it’s not California. He’s from Peterborough, Ont. Frankly, the Philadelphia Flyers makes more sense as a landing spot for Perry.

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