Edmonton OIlers winger Benoit Pouliot is a versatile talent whose skill set fits a myriad of roles in a variety of systems. He's the kind of guy who makes the teammates around him look better - he's a big winger with a knack for scoring after all - what team couldn't use a player like that?
Pouliot has played for seven franchises during his 11-year career and could again find himself on the move, if a recent report from Eklund of Hockeybuzz.com is correct.
Benoit Pouliot is the kind of player that EVERY team could use in a playoff run. He scores clutch goals and drives opposing defenses inside their own skin....he has HUGE amounts of value, and apparently the Oilers are considering using him to attract defense...
Pouliot, in stops in Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Tampa Bay, New York and now Edmonton after initially entering the league with the Minnesota Wild, has always found a good amount of success wherever he calls home - with the Rangers last season, he had 15 goals, 21 assists and a +10 rating, according to Hockey-Reference.com.
What could Edmonton hope to see in return for his high quality services?
The number one name I keep hearing is Marc Methot out of Ottawa, but I am also hearing the Lightning, Canadiens, and Blackhawks have poked around on this one.
Methot handled the second-most minutes for the Senators last year. He's also a plus offensively, managing six goals and 17 assists in the 2013-14 season.
The Oilers have been almost laughably poor on defense this year - thus far they've allowed 57 goals and their starting netminder, Ben Scrivens, has a 3.01 GAA and a .897 SV%, per NHL.com - so a defensive upgrade is almost a no-brainer.
Interestingly, the only sticking point to a potential deal thus far seems to be Edmonton's own reluctance to move the big winger.
The Oilers continue to talk a big game, but as one GM said this morning..."There is serious doubt among my colleagues as to whether or not they are serious and how long they will just keep playing games with names..."
Whether or not the Oilers interest in flipping him for defensive help is real or some type of smokescreen, Pouliot's name is one to keep an eye on - especially as injuries continue to occur across the league and the playoff push intensifies.
