from David Staples of the Edmonton Journal,

This just in, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman talking to Oilers uber-insider Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now and dropping a new trade rumour bombshells.

Stauffer mentioned the Oilers trying to upgrade at right defence from Justin Schultz by moving for either Sami Vatanen of Anaheim or Travis Hamonic of the Islanders, as both teams can use a scoring winger. ...

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re getting near to the end of his time with the Edmonton Oilers,” Friedman said. “I mean the writing is very much on the wall. I think it is time. I think both the organization and the player need a fresh start. It’s just not really changing there at all. I could see the Oilers not wanting to commit for whatever the salary is going to be for this year. I think there is a decent chance that a trade with him could happen.”

Friedman said he wasn’t optimistic about the New York Islanders signing winger Kyle Okposo, and Stauffer interjected that at the World Jr. tournament Islanders ace John Tavares had had success with Oilers winger Jordan Eberle.

Said Friedman: “I do believe we are getting closer to the day that Edmonton makes a move with one of its young forwards. I would say on the ranking of it probably (Jordan) Eberle one, (Ryan) Nugent-Hopkins two for a young player, for a defenceman. I think that everybody is looking at Hamonic and saying, ‘Is there going to be a match there?’ I have no doubt that that is what the Oilers are considering. I have no doubt they’re going to try to get it done.”

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