Edmonton Oilers

The 2019 NHL draft is fast approaching, but franchises aren't waiting until then to reconstruct their rosters as rumors begin to churn concerning the offseason.

Several defenseman have already been on the move, according to the league's 2019-20 Trade Tracker.

Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins dealt defenseman Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. 

Monday, the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba from the Winnipeg Jets, who received Neal Pionk and a first-round pick in this year's draft. 

Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks traded defenseman Justin Braun to the Philadelphia Flyers for, in part, Philly's 2019 second-round pick. 

Rumblings of other potential trades are gaining traction around the league.

Below is a look at three rumors to keep an eye on ahead of the draft Friday (Round 1) and Saturday (Rounds 2-7) at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. 

David Clarkson Submits No-Trade List to Vegas

Clarkson hasn't played in the NHL since the 2015-16 season due to a chronic back injury, but his contract is still burdening the Vegas Golden Knights. 

According to The Athletic's Jess Granger, the 35-year-old winger has submitted a no-trade list to Vegas in case the team wants to move the one-year, $5.25 million still pending on a seven-year contract he signed with Toronto in 2013:

The currently constructed roster bogs Vegas down, as Spotrac listed the Golden Knights as having the highest estimated cap hit in NHL at $83.125 million.

Clarkson's contract was dealt to Vegas in June 2017 from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who also gifted the Golden Knights their 2018 first-round pick and 2019 second-round pick for their trouble. 

Jesse Puljujarvi Wants Out of Edmonton 

Puljujarvi departing Edmonton seems not an issue of if but when. 

TSN's Darren Dreger reported early Wednesday that the 21-year-old winger "has made it clear" to the Oilers that he's seeking to be traded.

"It's believed the Oilers are willing to accommodate, but won't give him away and intend on being patient in finding a right fit," Dreger added.

Markus Lehto, Puljujarvi's agent, confirmed the speculation later Wednesday.

"It doesn't make sense to go back where we were last season," Lehto said, according to Tommi Seppala of Finnish broadcaster Yle Urheilu (h/t TSN). "It's not good for either side. Discussions about parting ways have been going on for weeks already.

"Jesse needs a fresh start, and it's nothing against the Oilers."

While all indications are that Edmonton is on board with moving Puljujarvi, it's not entirely that simple. TSN's Ryan Rishaug, for example, suggested that the Oilers "may stand pat" if a deal can't land them a third-line forward.

If that's the case, Lehto confirmed that Puljujarvi will play in Europe and not Edmonton, per SportsNet's Mark Spector.

"The Oilers have until Monday to issue a qualifying offer to Puljujarvi, 21, in order to retain his NHL rights," Spector added. "Puljujarvi will refrain from accepting that offer until he has been traded, as a contracted NHL player cannot sign in Europe."

With draft weekend nearly upon us, The Athletic's Allan Mitchell wouldn't be surprised if Oilers general manager Ken Holland drags the Puljujarvi trade proceedings into July and the free-agency window. 

In Mitchell's assessment, Holland might find an inviting talent pool in Winnipeg, St. Louis, New York Rangers, Minnesota and Carolina. 

In three seasons with Edmonton, Puljujarvi has appeared in 139 games, scored 17 goals and assisted 20 scores. His best season came in 2017-18, in which he scored a career-high 12 goals in 65 games.

Nikolaj Ehlers Believed to Have Been Offered to Carolina

Trading Trouba might just be the start of offseason moves made by the Winnipeg Jets, as TSN's Frank Seravalli reported that "the belief is the Jets have offered Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for one of their right-shooting defenseman."

The right-shooting defensemen Carolina has to offer are Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Justin Faulk. 

Faulk has reportedly been linked to the Blackhawks in trade discussions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope, which at least indicates that the Hurricanes are open to dealing him. 

Ehlers was a first-round draft pick by Winnipeg in 2014. The 23-year-old has scored at least 20 goals in each of the last three seasons, with his career-high 29 coming in 2017-18. 

The Edmonton Oilers officially hired former Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett as their head coach Tuesday.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Tippett received a three-year deal. 

"Dave brings a wealth of experience and knowledge," Oilers general manager Ken Holland said on Tuesday. "He is a great communicator and has consistently led teams known for their level of compete. I look forward to seeing Dave guide the Oilers this fall."

Tippett has 14 years of head-coaching experience in the NHL, spending six seasons with the Dallas Stars (2002-09) and eight years with the Coyotes (2009-17). He failed to lead the team to the playoffs in his final five years in the desert.

He has a career record of 271-156-37 (and 28 ties), going 21-26 in eight postseason appearances. He is the winningest coach (282 career victories) in Coyotes franchise history.

As he moved on from Arizona back in 2017, Tippett said it was "just time for a change." He was subsequently hired by the Seattle expansion club—which will begin play in 2021-22—as a senior adviser in June 2018.

Now, though, he will return to the bench for Edmonton.

"This was a unique opportunity," Tippett said. "It's a first-class organization with passionate fans. There was a lot of things that came together. When Ken reached out, I looked at it hard & it was a great opportunity. That's why I'm here."

Two-time NHL scoring champ Connor McDavid, who tied or set new career highs in goals (41), assists (75) and total points (116) this past season, is under contract through 2026.

Tippett, 57, will inherit an Oilers squad that is in the midst of a two-year playoff drought and has made the postseason just once in the last 13 seasons. 

The Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday they have hired Ken Holland as their general manager and president of hockey operations.

Holland spent the previous 22 years as GM of the Detroit Red Wings before getting promoted to senior vice president in April to make room for the hiring of Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman as the general manager.

In Edmonton, Holland will replace Peter Chiarelli, who was fired in January.

In the Oilers' press release regarding his hiring, Holland said the following about making the leap to Edmonton: "I am very happy to be joining the Edmonton Oilers. I believe we can build something special in Edmonton, and I look forward to putting a plan in place to make the Oilers a consistently successful team."

Per Sportsnet, Holland suggested his decision to leave Detroit for Edmonton was based on his desire to continue being an NHL GM:

Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson also commented on Holland's hiring:

"The Edmonton Oilers are excited to welcome Ken Holland to the organization. Ken's experience as a hockey executive and NHL general manager is unmatched, and his arrival is an important step to the Oilers achieving the success we all want for the team. I look forward to working with Ken, and he will have full autonomy over all aspects of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers."

During Holland's tenure as GM in Detroit, the Red Wings made 18 consecutive playoff appearances from 1997-98 through 2015-16. That run of success included three Stanley Cup titles and four Stanley Cup Final appearances.

Detroit also won a Stanley Cup in 1997 when Holland was serving as assistant general manager.

The Red Wings have failed to make the playoffs the past three seasons, but WFAN's Daniel J. Friedman doesn't believe Holland is to blame:

Holland will take over an Oilers team that has made the playoffs just once in the past 13 seasons. Since reaching the second round of the playoffs two years ago, the Oilers have finished the past two seasons with only 78 and 79 points, respectively.

Even so, Edmonton has arguably the best hockey player in the world in Connor McDavid, as well as another legitimate star in Leon Draisaitl.

Holland has his work cut out for him in terms of adding secondary scoring, building a strong defensive corps, figuring out the goaltending situation and hiring a new head coach. But with a core of McDavid and Draisaitl, he has a duo that most NHL general managers would envy.

Edmonton Oilers superstar center Connor McDavid reportedly suffered a small tear of the PCL ligament in his left knee during the team's season finale against the Calgary Flames on April 6.

On Saturday, Darren Dreger of TSN reported no surgery will be required and that McDavid is expected to make a complete recovery before the start of the 2019-20 NHL season.

The 22-year-old scoring machine registered 41 goals and 75 assists for 116 points, which ranked second in the NHL behind Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning (128), in 2018-19.

Edmonton provided its own update on McDavid's status Friday:

"To be completely honest, I thought my leg was in two pieces when I was sitting on the ice, but thankfully the bone is OK," McDavid told reporters Sunday.

Torn ligaments in his knee or any other serious leg injury could have cost the first overall pick in the 2015 draft a significant portion of next season. Luckily for the Oilers and the NHL as a whole, it sounds like one of hockey's most dynamic players should be available come October.

Now the onus is on the Edmonton front office, led by interim general manager Keith Gretzky, to upgrade the roster around McDavid. The team has reached the Stanley Cup playoffs just once in the center's four seasons with the team despite his extraordinary offensive production.

The effort begins with rebuilding an undermanned defensive corps that caused the Oilers to rank 25th in goals allowed per game (3.3) during the regular season.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid suffered a potentially devastating leg injury in the final game of the regular season Saturday.

The 22-year-old crashed into the goal post hard in the game against the Calgary Flames and needed help off the ice:

He appeared to say "it's broken" while receiving assistance. However, the Oilers later noted x-rays on McDavid's leg came back negative though he will still undergo an MRI.

Edmonton wasn't heading to the playoffs anyway, so he will have the entire offseason to rehabilitate his injury if necessary. Still, this could be damaging for a player who has become a star over the past few years.

McDavid will finish the season with 41 goals and 75 assists, his 116 points ranking second in the league behind only Nikita Kucherov.

He had already become one of the top players in the NHL coming into the year, lighting up the stat sheet with 100 points in 2016-17 and 108 points in 2017-18. In those two seasons, he racked up plenty of hardware, including the Hart Trophy, two Art Ross Trophies and two Ted Lindsay awards, plus a pair of All-Star selections.

In addition to his talent, McDavid has been impressively durable as a young player while appearing in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons and finishing with 78 games played in 2018-19.

His latest injury might not necessarily cause him to miss time, but the Oilers and all hockey fans will hope it turns out to be a minor issue.

The NHL suspended Edmonton Oilers superstar forward Connor McDavid for two games Friday for his illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy.

McDavid's infraction occurred during the Oilers' 4-3 overtime win against the Islanders on Thursday. He was assessed a two-minute minor penalty after contacting Leddy's head with his shoulder.

McDavid will be eligible to return to the lineup for Edmonton's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, "McDavid will forfeit $134,408.60" in game checks as a result of the suspension. This also marks the first suspension of McDavid's career.

Leddy cleared concussion protocol and managed to finish Thursday's game.

After the contest, McDavid told the Edmonton Sun (h/t TSN) he didn't intend to hit Leddy in the head: "Obviously it's not a great check, it's not what I was trying to do. I wasn't trying to finish my check on him and he stopped a little earlier than I thought, and I hit him a bit too high."

In his fourth NHL season, the 2015 No. 1 overall draft pick has 32 goals and 53 assists for 85 points in 58 games. He ranks third in the NHL in points behind only Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane.

McDavid is already a three-time All-Star, two-time Art Ross Trophy winner and one-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner during his young NHL career.

While he has been successful individually, team success has been harder to come by. The Oilers are currently second-last in the Western Conference with 56 points, and they are six points out of a playoff spot.

Being without McDavid for games against the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators could be a major hit to the Oilers' postseason hopes.

The Edmonton Oilers fired Peter Chiarelli on Wednesday in the midst of his fourth season as the team's general manager, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.

Edmonton has 49 points this season via a 23-24-3 record, which leaves the team three points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

If the Oilers fail to reach the playoffs, it would mark the 12th time in 13 seasons that they have fallen short of the postseason.

The 54-year-old Chiarelli previously served as the Boston Bruins GM for nearly nine years and led them to a Stanley Cup win in 2011.

Days after getting fired by the Bruins in 2015, Chiarelli was hired by an Oilers team that hadn't reached the playoffs since making it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006.

The Oilers made slight improvements under Chiarelli in his first season before registering 103 points in 2016-17 to qualify for the postseason.

Edmonton beat the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Anaheim Ducks in seven games in the second round.

Success was short-lived for the Oilers, as they dropped to 78 points in 2017-18 because of an inability to surround star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with a strong supporting cast.

Edmonton also has a suspect defensive corps and goaltending situation.

While Chiarelli did make the slam-dunk selection of McDavid with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, he made some questionable decisions as well.

Chiarelli traded forward Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson, and Hall went on to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP last season.

He also signed forward Milan Lucic to a seven-year, $42 million contract. After recording 50 points in his first season with the Oilers, Lucic had just 34 last season and has only 12 points through 50 games this term.

Chiarelli's first order of business in Edmonton was hiring Todd McLellan as head coach, but he was fired this season and replaced by Ken Hitchcock.

While things haven't gone according to plan in Edmonton during the McDavid era, the Oilers are still in the thick of the playoff race, and they have arguably the best player in the world on their side.

With a few tweaks heading toward the trade deadline, the Oilers have enough talent to reach the playoffs and make some noise.

The Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday that they fired head coach Todd McLellan and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock.

Edmonton is off to a disappointing 9-10-1 start this season, and it is three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference's Pacific Division.

The Oilers also went just 36-40-6 last season and missed the playoffs after reaching the postseason with a 47-26-9 mark in 2016-17.

The 66-year-old Hitchcock retired in April after coaching the Dallas Stars to a 42-32-8 mark last season.

Hitchcock initially announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, but he was fired by the St. Louis Blues during the campaign, which led to his decision to spend one season in Dallas.

He has 22 years of NHL head coaching experience with the Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Blues.

Hitchcock has reached the playoffs as a head coach on 14 occasions, and he led the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final in both 1999 and 2000, guiding Dallas to its first and only Stanley Cup win in franchise history in 1999.

Additionally, Hitchcock ranks third on the NHL's all-time wins list for head coaches, with 823. He trails only Scotty Bowman (1,244) and Joel Quenneville (890), who was fired by the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in November.

The 51-year-old McLellan spent parts of four seasons as Edmonton's head coach, posting a 123-119-24 record with just one playoff appearance.

Prior to joining the Oilers, McLellan was the San Jose Sharks' head coach for seven seasons, during which time he went 311-163-66 and reached the playoffs six times.

Despite the Oilers' struggles, Hitchcock walks into an enviable position since Edmonton boasts arguably the NHL's best player in Connor McDavid.

The 21-year-old phenom was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, and he already has two Art Ross Trophies as the NHL's leading point scorer and one Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP to his credit.

This season, McDavid has racked up 12 points and 16 assists for 28 points in 20 games, ranking him third in the league in points.

The Oilers sorely lack secondary scoring beyond McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but if Hitchcock can pull the right strings and put together some quality combinations beyond the first line, the Oilers are a dangerous team capable of making a playoff run.

Edmonton Oilers left wing Milan Lucic experienced a scary injury during Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

As he shared via Twitter, he was cut on the neck by a skate. It is not difficult to envision the injury being much worse considering the location:

According to Evan Sporer of Sporting News, it occurred when Lucic fell to the ice. He "took down the Golden Knights' Tomas Nosek, whose left leg whipped up, [with] his skate catching Lucic in the neck."

Lucic didn't see the ice during the extra frame of Saturday's contest.

The veteran played for the Boston Bruins for eight seasons and the Los Angeles Kings for one before joining Edmonton prior to the 2016-17 campaign. He has 28 points on nine goals and 19 assists in 46 games this season and reached the 50-point threshold for the fifth time in his career in 2016-17.

The Oilers have struggled to establish themselves as contenders this season at 20-23-3 and sit in sixth place in the Pacific Division with 43 points.

Lucic has time to heal; Edmonton's next game isn't until Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.