from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

There is a significant trade coming in Edmonton.

It could be tomorrow (least likely). It could be at the Feb. 29 National Hockey League Trade Deadline (less likely). Most likely it occurs in the lead up to the 2016 Entry Draft in June.

The reason: The original Oilers rebuild has failed (newsflash), and the new general manager — Peter Chiarelli — is assessing which of its parts can best be recycled into a legitimate No. 2, and perhaps also a No. 3 defenceman. Teams don’t trade No. 1 blue-liners, so that’s out of the question.

There is still much talent in Edmonton, but it’s clear to all that the original blueprint is a loser, and the new architect has to swing the wrecking ball — to some extent — in Edmonton. However, significant trades are nearly impossible to do mid-season, when everyone’s cap/budget is locked in. Also, history tells us good defencemen seldom move mid-season, and clearly Chiarelli doesn’t favour the New York Islanders’ ask for Travis Hamonic, or that deal would have been completed a month ago.

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