from Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal,

His game has taken a marked turn for the better, and it’s hard to fathom a scenario where the Oilers will just let their 2006 draft pick walk on July 1 without at least securing a draft pick — assuming, of course, he isn’t re-signed.

But between now and March 2, Petry intends to do what he can to dismiss the external chatter.

“It’s business as usual for me. From the summer until the first week of the season, there were rumours going around, so I just have to continue to block them out. They are just rumours until something actually happens,” the 27-year-old said before the team headed out for a six-game road trip that starts Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs and concludes Feb. 16 against the Winnipeg Jets.

“I’ve talked to my agent a little bit about what to expect. From there, it’s just a wait and see.”

A healthy scratch earlier this season, Petry has been the steadiest of the defencemen of late, although he may never be physical enough to hush his critics.

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