NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers

Welcome to another edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors! The 2022-23 regular season is more than halfway done and players will be evaluated. Now, with the trade deadline less than three weeks away, rumors are sizzling.

Clubs are always working to improve their rosters for next season. Some teams are having difficulty creating enough cap space to make moves. Others are experiencing severe injuries to star players. Trade rumors/signings are still possible. In this Sunday edition of NHL Rumors, we will take a look at the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and the Florida Panthers.

Edmonton Oilers – Erik Karlsson

Rumor: Per – Chris Johnston – tsn.ca. Per Chris Johnston, the Oilers and Sharks have re-engaged discussions on a possible Erik Karlsson trade.

Word is the #SJSharks and #oilers have re-engaged on Erik Karlsson trade discussions. There are considerable financial hurdles on both ends, but it's at least the second time this season they've explored a potential fit.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 11, 2023

This seems strange since the Edmonton Oilers are a powerhouse offensive team. Why would they need a defenseman like Karlsson who is tied with Connor McDavid in assists this season with 53 in 53 games? The complications increase when you discuss the cap hit of $11.5 million through the 2026-27 season. It would most certainly entail that the Sharks retain up to 50 percent of that cap hit to make a deal work. Seeing that the Oilers presently only have $1.13 million in cap space, something very creative would need to be done.

Elliotte Friedman from sportsnet.ca chimed in on the Karlsson to Edmonton possibilities.

Regarding Erik Karlsson, @FriedgeHNIC shares some information on the Edmonton Oilers' pursuit of the San Jose Sharks defenceman. pic.twitter.com/1oiX5lRnXx

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 12, 2023

There’s no doubt that Karlsson is a valued player, especially since he has been healthy again this season. But, is he what it would take to push the Oilers over the top? They have gathered 18 points in their last 10 games. It would need to be a deal that general manager Ken Holland just couldn’t refuse, or what may need to include a third team with lots of cap space like the Arizona Coyotes with $55.3 million.

All along it seemed like Holland was looking for a shutdown blueliner like Joel Edmundson or Vladislav Gavrikov. The talk of acquiring Karlsson seems odd for sure.

Vancouver Canucks – Brock Boeser

Rumor: Per – Elliotte Friedman – sportsnet.ca. “After really looking into it, I don’t see it,” said Friedman. He claimed Boeser wants to go to Minnesota. However, the Wild can’t do the deal without the Canucks eating a chunk of the winger’s salary.

The salaries would be an issue with Boeser coming in at $6.65 million and Jordan Greenway set at $3 million. The Wild already have cap issues with $14 million in dead cap space. The Canucks would need to retain half of Boeser’s salary, and they really don’t want to do that, especially after retaining salary in the Bo Horvat trade.

Bleacher Report listed also listed the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins as interested in Boeser. Boeser will certainly help one of those clubs going forward. The Canucks are doing some revamping of their roster and it now becomes which deal they can get for Boeser which fits into their path forward.

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Florida Panthers – Anthony Duclair

Rumor: Per – Simon Fawkes – sabrenoise.com. Will the Buffalo Sabres seek to trade for Anthony Duclair?

The Panthers are in cap trouble, and once Duclair returns from a ruptured Achilles injury, they will have some decisions to make. Duclair had 58 points in 74 games last season and could certainly help the Sabres attempt to make the postseason. That is if he is healthy, and can brush the rust off from not playing a single game this season.

Duclair has a $3 million cap hit through next season. The Sabres have excessive cap space with $54.5 million, so that is not an issue. Some possible returns for Duclair could be Rasmus Asplund, Vinnie Hinostroza, Ryan Johnson, plus middle-round picks as compensation for Duclair. While Duclair doesn’t really want to leave South Florida, the cap space issues may force the issue.

We’ll need to wait and see how Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams proceeds. Duclair is due back any time now, so time is of the essence.

That concludes this edition of NHL rumors. Be sure to catch our next article, and thanks for reading!