With days to go until the Olympic break and then just 60 hours between the end of the Olympic freeze and the NHL trade deadline, both the time to make deals and the time to speculate about them is going to be extremely compressed this season. With the Oilers in the rancid phase of their season, "insiders" and speculators have moved in, looking to pick over the rotting carcass in hopes that the scraps will be enough to make a deep run in the playoffs or win a Stanley Cup. Almost half of the current roster has been mentioned in trade rumors recently, though Steve Tambellini hasn't come close to a move since...not trading for Dany Heatley. Below the jump is the collection of the most recent trade rumors involving the Oilers. The 60 hour trade window has the potential to be exciting for Oiler fans.
It also has the potential to be excruciatingly painful and enough to send longtime fans over the edge.
NESN's James Murphy reports that the Bruins would love to add Cogliano and claims that the Oilers are listening to offers. Murphy also says that that "package will have to be monumental" to bring Cogliano in.
The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson reports that Phoenix is asking about Cogliano, but that the previously reported trade for Peter Mueller will not happen.
Eklund's Source says that the Predators are asking about Mike Comrie.
The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson reports that Columbus is interested in Tom Gilbert.
The Fourth Period also believes that Scott Howson is trying to acquire Tom Gilbert.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun says that the Oilers are shopping Moreau, and that Washington should make a deal for him.
The Chicago Daily Herald thinks that the Penguins are going to be Moreau's destination.
A week ago, Darren Dreger reported that Moreau might be headed to the Leafs in exchange for the expiring contract of Lee Stempniak or Garnet Exelby.
The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson reports that if the Oilers can find someone to take Ethan Moreau, they will have to take back $1,000,000 in salary. Petteri Nokelainen fits that bill.
Eklund's Source says that the Predators are asking about Patrick O'Sullivan.
Jim Matheson thinks that the Canadiens might be interested in Patrick O'Sullivan.
Don Brennan and Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun think that the Senators will target Dustin Penner for their glaring need at power forward.
The Globe and Mail has Souray headed to New Jersey (prior to the Kovalchuk trade) or Dallas. Hendricks, Jim Matheson, And Derek Van Diest all have Souray headed to Dallas, with Matt Niskanen as the possible return. Wonder where they got the Dallas thing?
TSN reports that Souray has six teams on his list - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, Philadelphia, and the New York Rangers. With his injury, however, waiting until his no-trade clause expires may increase the return.
Jim Matheson thinks that Steve Staios might be a good fit for San Jose or Washington.
NESN's James Murphy says that the Bruins need a puck-moving defenseman and Visnovsky fits the bill, but that Edmonton would have to take back some "hefty salaries".
NESN's John Beattie thinks that Visnovsky could end up in Boston. "With his speed, the potential combination of Chara and Visnovski could pan out to be the top one-two offensive-defenseman pairing in the league."
