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NHL Trade Rumours

Sources: Edmonton Oilers and More are Interested In Brendan Gallagher

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Montreal Canadiens

Are the Edmonton Oilers preparing to make a push for Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher on the NHL trade market?

As the Montreal Canadiens ramp up their schedule again, some big names on the Habs roster have entered the NHL trade rumor circuit. Rumors that the Oilers and Colorado Avalanche could go hard after Canadiens superstar goalie Carey Price should he become available on the NHL trade market have already picked up in recent days. Habs defenseman Ben Chiarot, who can become an unrestricted free agent next July is already a name being bantered about with multiple NHL sources confirming that new Montreal Canadiens executive vice president Jeff Gorton is actively taking calls on the blueliner.

What about Gallagher who still has five years, with a $6.5 million salary cap hit per season left on his contract and a modified no-trade and no-movement clause?

“I know that my team is looking into what it would take to acquire him and I’ve been told by more than one team that the Edmonton Oilers are very interested,” an NHL team executive told Montreal Hockey Now over the past weekend. “They thought they were getting enough sandpaper from a guy that can pot 20 goals with [Zach] Hyman, but it’s pretty clear they need more of those players in their middle six.”

Of course, with the Oilers currently having no cap space, they would need the Montreal Canadiens to take back cap money in any trade. Obviously, Gorton is more interested in draft picks and prospects as he embarks on what he hopes will be a rebuild or retool reminiscent of the one he pulled off for the New York Rangers serving as their general manager for the past six seasons.

“He doesn’t want to, but he’s going to have to take back cap space in most trades that include moving a contract like Gallagher’s or Price,” the same source above said. “That being said, he’s going to stockpile as many first round picks as he can get. Not just because of the rebuild either but also remember the draft is in Montreal this year and Jeff is going to want to make a big splash there.”

As for Oilers players and contracts that are available, defenseman Tyson Barrie (two years left at $4.5 million), defenseman Oskar Klefblom (one year left at $4.1 million), center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (seven years left at $5.2 million, full NMC), forward Warren Foegele (two years left at $2.7 million) and former Habs winger Zack Kassian (two years left at $3.2 million), are all rumored to be available.