Patrick Marleau isn't the only expensive veteran to have his name bandied about in the NHL trade rumor mill already this season. It was revealed last week by Edmonton Sports Radio's Bob Stauffer that a potential Scott Hartnell-Mark Fayne trade had been or was being discussed between the Edmonton Oilers and the Columbus Blue Jackets. As Kris Hansen of Oil On Whyte notes, Stauffer tends to be well-informed when it comes to Oilers insider information, even if he does speculate from time-to-time.
As for the trade itself, it would seem to make some hockey sense, though the dollars and cents don't quite align.
Fayne, 28, is set to make just $3.65 million over the next three years of his current deal. He's very limited offensively, having scored just six goals and collected all of 20 points through the last two seasons and the first 13 games of 2015-16, so it's hard to see that being a big draw for the struggling Blue Jackets. Then again, Columbus allows the second-most goals per game this season at 3.57. The right-handed, stay-at-home Fayne could certainly help there.
With Darnell Nurse and Brandon Davidson continuing to develop, it certainly seems like the Oilers and GM Peter Chiarelli may not require Fayne's services for much longer.
Hartnell is expensive - $4.75 million salary on a deal that carries a term of four more seasons as well as a no-trade clause. He's a gritty, hard-charging player willing to do the dirty work, though his skill can sometimes be overshadowed by his struggles with remaining upright.
Hartnell, acquired by the Jackets last year in exchange for RJ Umberger in a swap of expensive, struggling veterans with the Philadelphia Flyers, would seemingly find himself as part of a similar trade if the Fayne deal is as reported.
Hartnell though, played well last season - while Umberger's first season in Philly was a complete waste - and would provide a toughness that the Oilers lineup has long lacked. He'd also bring a secondary scoring punch that the team sorely needs, especially after the injury to Connor McDavid.
While Fayne is younger and cheaper, Hartnell would fill a more immediate need for the Oilers. Fayne would seemingly do the same for the Blue Jackets.
In theory, the deal makes a fair bit of sense, especially if some of Hartnell's salary is retained by Columbus.
