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LeBrun: Latest trade rumblings on Oilers, Erik Karlsson, Jakob Chychrun, Ivan Provorov and more

It’s that time of year again, with the world juniors behind us, when NHL clubs start to hold their scouting meetings to get ready for the trade deadline.

Several clubs are holding those meetings this week, and more will follow before the end of the month. These are meetings in which NHL front office staff try to explore every possibility the trade market could present and plan for a number of different scenarios ahead of the March 3 deadline.

But as one team executive shared with me Tuesday, the problem in discussing the NHL trade market right now is that there’s still so much uncertainty. There’s about a quarter of the league at the top of the standings you know are going to be buyers, a quarter at the bottom you know are going to be sellers, and the rest of the league is in the middle quicksand, not quite sure yet. . General managers on those teams aren’t ready to commit yet, either way.

Still, what I gathered this week in making calls around to NHL front offices is that conversations between teams have certainly picked up.

Here are the rumblings I’m hearing.

Oilers working the phones

The Oilers are scouring the market, looking at defense options. That was always the expectation, of course, but the point here is that veteran GM Ken Holland has been active of late making those calls and trying to get a realistic view of what’s available. So yes, I believe they’ve talked to Arizona about Jakob Chychrun, to Montreal about Joel Edmundson, and well, to about every selling team you can think of with a defenseman potentially up for grabs.

The Oilers want to get a full understanding of what’s out there. The problem is the prices, in most cases, are sky-high this far out from March 3.

We’ve talked before about the high price for Chychrun and will have more on that below. Edmundson won’t be cheap for the simple reason that the Habs don’t necessarily want to move him (he’s signed through next season so not a rental). Most notable defensemen on the market are going to be priced at least a first-round pick right now because it’s January and, well, because Montreal got it last year for Ben Chiarot and Columbus got it two years ago for David Savard. Selling teams are using that as a jumping-off point.

I don’t think Holland wants to make a panic move just because the team is struggling to find its footing. But I do think he’ll trade for a D eventually. The other thing is this: One trade won’t be a cure-all. The Oilers need improvement from within a lot of players, especially defensively. That’s going to have a bigger impact than one trade alone.

Interest in Dumba

My colleague from TSN, Darren Dreger, reported during our Insider Trading segment Tuesday evening that the Senators and Oilers have shown some interest in pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Matt Dumba. I think that’s another example of the Oil checking in on what’s out there.

The Athletic‘s Michael Russo has noted a few times that while the Wild aren’t shopping Dumba because they’re in a playoff spot, he could see the blueliner deal as part of a hockey deal that helps the team this season.

Teams calling on Karlsson

The idea of ​​an Erik Karlsson trade was theoretical when we first broached the subject earlier this season. Based on his strong start, we wondered if teams would be enticed. Then Sharks GM Mike Grier said at the November GMs meeting in Toronto that he would listen to Karlsson, so we wondered if teams would actually engage or if that contract would be too much of an issue.

Well, Karlsson’s strong season has continued, and from what I’m hearing, there are teams that have in fact engaged in discussions with the Sharks. That doesn’t mean something will happen by March 3, given the complexity of this trade — a contract paying him $11.5 million average annual value per season for four seasons after this one plus a full no-move clause that gives Karlsson control of the process. .

Still, the point here is that the Sharks are indeed talking to teams, which shows legitimate interest. I still think it’s more likely than not that this waits until the offseason, but we shall see. What it’s going to come down to is how much the Sharks are willing to retain of Karlsson’s contract in a trade, and even if a team is willing to go all the way, whether that club is interesting enough to Karlsson for him to waive.

Asking price for Chychrun

The Coyotes remain patient on the Chychrun trade front, because well, they don’t actually have to move him before March 3. He’s signed for another two years after this season. But the desire is still there to move him for the right price.

Speaking of which, while the price generally remains two first-round picks plus a prospect in exchange for Chychrun, I’m told the Coyotes are willing to be flexible depending on the quality of the prospect, for example. So there appears to be another avenue to make a deal happen, but the assets offered would have to equal the original asking price in the eyes of Arizona.

Kuzmenko drawing increased interest

I’m hearing that teams are calling more and more on pending UFA forward Andrei Kuzmenko, and that’s not surprising given his cheap cap hit ($950,000) and his solid offensive output so far this season.

When one considers how cap-strung so many playoff-bound teams are, a player of his ability and cheap cap hit is a gift from heaven. However, I also heard Tuesday that the Canucks aren’t sure yet they want to part with him, as they haven’t given up hope on the idea of ​​re-signing him. There haven’t yet been any contract talks on an extension between the Canucks and agent Dan Milstein, although I suspect that will happen within the next month. I would imagine the starting price from the Kuzmenko side would be at least $6 million a year on a bridge deal.

It’s also worth noting that the player seems to like it very much in Vancouver, despite the team’s turbulent season.

Boeser on poking around

Sticking with the Canucks, word is that teams keep poking around on Brock Boeser and are exploring it in a more realistic manner. I don’t think anything is imminent, but teams are giving it more thought and trying to see how they could make it work.

Boeser still has another two years on his contract after this season at a $6.65 million AAV.

The Wild have talked to Vancouver about it, and Boeser returning to his home state would be a good story, but it doesn’t sound like Minnesota feels it can make it work cap-wise.

Provorov on Flyers listening

Teams are calling and the Flyers are in listening mode on defenseman Ivan Provorov, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first speculated about the possibility of Provorov moving earlier this week, mentioning that he believes the player and team are frustrated with each other.

Provorov has two years left on his deal after this season at a $6.75 million AAV, so the Flyers certainly don’t feel like they need to move him. But given where they are in the standings, they feel obliged to at least answer calls on him. I don’t even think they’ve established an asking price; it’s very much about listening right now. He may not move at all. Still, an intriguing name out there to be sure.

Ducks want first-rounder for Klingberg

The price on pending UFA defenseman John Klingberg starts with a first-round pick, or at least that’s what the Ducks have told some clubs.

Never say never, but given Klingberg’s struggles so far this season, I just don’t see a team jumping up to pay that price.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Klingberg on a contender would start to look like his old self again, but still, that just seems like too high a price.

I don’t blame the Ducks for trying at all. It’s still January. Lots of time before March 3.

(Top photo of Ivan Provorov and Jakob Chychrun: Kyle Ross / USA Today)

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