The Edmonton Oilers made the monumental decision to fire their head coach early last week and replace him on an interim basis with their general manager.
Since then, things have gone somewhat dark on the moribund franchise.
But don't let the quiet interlude fool you - GM/interim head coach Craig MacTavish is still working the phones and contemplating a number of deals.
"The Oilers do have some interesting pieces that still could be in play. I know that Craig MacTavish likes David Perron. But he's out there. Jeff Petry, a young defenseman who still has lots of upside. I don't know that he's as good as the Oilers think he is, but he's out there. So there are parts that I'm sure MacTavish, when he leaves the bench and starts focusing on his managing duties again, he's going to be able to move them," said TSN Insider Darren Dreger on an episode of Toronto's TSN 1050 Tuesday morning as transcribed by NicholsOnHockey.com.
Perron's availability has been known for some time. He's just 26-years-old and managed 57 points in only 78 games last season. His current deal lasts through the 2015-16 season and carries a cap hit of $3.8 million.
Petry, 27, signed a one-year, $3.075 million contract before this season. He's got three goals and five assists in a third-pairing role for the Oilers. His pending free agent status could make him an attractive trade target for teams looking for a specific rental piece for the playoffs.
The good news for Oilers fans - and bad news for fans of other team's around the league hoping for their GM to make a tremendously massive move - it sounds like Taylor Hall is staying put - at least through the end of the season.
"Well, I do see them making 'a' trade this year. I don't believe that it'll include Hall until the offseason, and then you have to gauge what the rate of return is," said Dreger.
The Oilers will apparently look to outgain what the Bruins received in trade for Tyler Seguin from the Dallas Stars.
"Again, not to beat up on Pete Chiarelli, but the Edmonton Oilers absolutely have to get more on a return package (than what Chiarelli got for Tyler Seguin). It's got to include a second or a third line center for sure. I'm sure they'd like a starting goaltender or a top-pairing defenseman. So there are some main components there."
