More and more it seems like the only way the Edmonton Oilers are ever going to get the spotlight of speculation and trade rumor pointed away from them is to actually go ahead and get some type of deal done or - slightly more drastically - fire somebody with a significant hand in their current makeup.
It now sounds like not one, but both of those things may be on the verge of happening, according to Eklund from Hockeybuzz.
David Perron, the veteran top-6 winger whose name has been involved in a multitude of trade rumors in recent days, has apparently been the subject of talks for a reason.
Depending on who you talk to the general feeling around the NHL is David Perron has either asked to be moved or is going to be moved regardless...
The 26-year-old Perron has two goals and eight assists thus far this season, according to Hockey-Reference. He joined Edmonton last season after spending the first six years of his career in St. Louis, where he was originally a first-round draft pick.
Should he actually get moved, there are no shortage of teams interested in acquiring his services.
Teams with interest include Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Philly, LA, Columbus and Boston...
Boston GM Peter Chiarelli has talked in recent days about wanting to add size, so the just-shy-of 6-foot Perron probably doesn't fit that bill too well. He'd make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh, who have been rumored to want a top-6 forward for most of the season now.
Perron is only one piece of the currently failing puzzle in Edmonton though. Sources tell Eklund that Edmonton has begun having conversations about the future - or potential lack thereof - of head coach Dallas Eakins.
According to a few sources the Oilers are also having "preliminary talks regarding a coaching change."
Earlier this week, the Oilers fired goalie coach Frederic Chabot (h/t to NHL.com), in a move that smacked of desperation and an unwillingness to make the more monumental change that probably really needs to happen.
Perhaps that change is now coming down the pipe.
Whatever does or doesn't happen from here on out, it sure sounds like Edmonton is going to look like a very different team by the start of next season.
