Word had already begun to build - after the Oilers dropped their sixth game in a row and moved their record to a putrid 6-13-2 - that things were in an altogether tenuous place in Edmonton and changes were most likely afoot.
Now comes word that those changes may center on a specific player and a specific return.
The Oilers are looking to move forward David Perron in exchange for a top line center, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
Among Oilers trade targets...David Perron. Told MacTavish is asking for a top center in return. Edmtn gm obviously working phones. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 23, 2014
Word from eastern teams: MacTavish is very eager to land a center. Source says "no one is off limits." Normal procedure to get talks going. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 24, 2014
The 26-year-old Perron has two goals and eight assists in 21 games of action thus far this season, according to Hockey-Reference.com.
He has two years left on his current deal, which pays him $4.25 million this season and $4.5 million next year (h/t to Capgeek.com).
No word yet on what teams they're talking to or who they're looking to get in return for Perron, but all that's certain so far is the Oilers want to make a move as soon as possible.
"The Edmonton Oilers are desperate to make a trade, but opposing general managers are under the impression that the club is uninterested in dealing their young core players, according to Sportsnet's Damien Cox and Elliotte Friedman," wrote Jeff Simmons of SportsNet Canada.
That young core, which includes Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov, has performed well, but not at a high enough level to keep the team from sinking to last place in the Western Conference.
Getting a quality return without offering a piece of similar value is a pipe dream, and Edmonton GM Craig MacTavish may be forced to think outside the box on this one if he's really serious about getting a deal done.
Otherwise, MacTavish and/or coach Dallas Eakins may soon find themselves out of a job.
