“We’re not going to blow it up.”
That’s the word from Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli as he heads toward Monday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline.
The Oilers do have good, young players under contract and they’re coveted by other teams, but Chiarelli said he has a list of players he won’t move.
“I’m confident in the players I don’t want to trade, so it’s not tempting. They’re asking, but they’ve stopped asking,” Chiarelli explained.
Two players who aren’t under contract for next season are prime candidates to be moved. Forwards Patrick Maroon and Mark Letestu will both be unrestricted free agents on July 1.
“There’s interest in those players, and we’ve also talked to those players about re-signing,” said Chiarelli.
If the Oilers do make trades, the priority would be acquiring speed and youth.
“You’re looking for a prospect that’s close to playing if not ready to play,” Chiarelli explained. He added that if the Oilers acquire draft picks, he would prefer to trade the picks at the draft for players.
The NHL trade deadline is Monday at 1 p.m. 630 CHED will have special coverage starting at 11 a.m.
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