Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli confirmed that he is a seller coming up to Monday's trade deadline, and Teddy Purcell and Justin Schultz could be the first players headed out of Edmonton, according to Bob McKenzie.
The Oilers scratched Purcell from the lineup for the second consecutive game on Friday, according to The Edmonton Journal. Purcell was held out of the game along with Schultz, likely in attempt to keep the two healthy before a trade.
Florida and Los Angeles are the most likely landing spots for Purcell, McKenzie claims. The Panthers come to the deadline in unfamiliar territory, first place in the Atlantic division as of Friday. The Panthers need a top six winger who can score, and Purcell fits the Panthers' bill to some extent. Purcell scored 65 points in 2011-2012 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he hasn't scored more than 42 points in a season since. He has 31 points through 61 games with the Oilers this season.
The Kings have been linked to Arizona Coyotes' winger Mikkel Boedker. but it's expected that the Kings would have to give up highly touted prospect Adrain Kempe in return. The Kings have been looking to add a forward since Marian Gaborik went down to injury earlier this month, and Purcell is a cheaper alternative to Boedker while still fitting the Kings' need of a top six winger.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi might be feeling pressure to make a move ahead of the deadline, especially after Western Conference rivals Chicago added a trio of forwards this week. With an abundance of rental forwards available, Purcell might only cost the Kings an early round draft pick.
