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The Oilers, currently fourth in the Pacific Division with an 11-9-2 record, have shown flashes of brilliance akin to those carrying them to last year's Stanley Cup Final, but remain a bit inconsistent.
Coming off a weekend win against the New York Rangers and with their next game scheduled for Friday against the Utah Hockey Club, TSN insider Darren Dreger (h/t Karman Gill) hinted that the break provides an opportune window for General Manager Ken Holland to engage in trade discussions.
Dreger fueled speculation about a possible Oilers trade happening soon, reporting the team is actively exploring options to upgrade its defense.
“There isn’t panic in Edmonton about their defense, but there is definite concern,” Dreger said. "There is a chance that the Oilers may pull the trigger early in acquiring a defenseman."
Darren Dreger saying there isn't panic in Edmonton about their defence but there is definite concern. He believes that there is a chance that the Oilers may pull the trigger early in acquiring a defenceman
— Karman Gill (@Kgill39) November 25, 2024
While the market for blueliners is tight, several names could become available as the trade deadline nears.
Columbus’s David Jiricek is one of the best-available players at the position and his trade is imminent, though the Oilers might not have enough assets to acquire him.
Other players such as Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov and Pittsburgh’s Marcus Pettersson have been linked to Edmonton in the past.
"League sources said the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks have interest in [Petterson], and there’s every reason to believe other teams will covet him," Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported on Nov. 18.
Although the Oilers limited New York to just two goals on Saturday, Edmonton has allowed 69 goals to opposing teams this season while only scoring 64 for a negative minus-5 goal differential.
A defensive upgrade could provide the Oilers with some stability and not make them so dependent on their offensive goalscoring.
More must-reads:
- Mike Grier’s drafting propelling Sharks to certain future
- Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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Longtime Maple Leafs Defenseman in Serious Contract Dispute With His New Team
The longtime former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Conor Timmins is in a serious contract dispute with his new team, the Buffalo Sabres. Nobody appears happy to stay with the Buffalo Sabres organization. Most of the talented players on the team were included in trade or free agency rumors, and now, Timmins doesn't appear too excited to sign with the team. Indeed, the Restricted Free Agent, who was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Sabres earlier this offseason for Connor Clifton and a second-round pick, isn't close to reaching a deal in Buffalo. With arbitration hearings set to take place over the coming days, Timmins and the Sabres are likely to meet for that reason soon. Unless a deal is reached before then, the hearing will take place on August 2nd. The Ontario native is coming off a rocky season, where he played 51 games for the Leafs and 17 more in Pittsburgh after being traded. In those 68 games, the 26-year-old defenseman tallied 15 points, including three goals. After seeing three players around the NHL reach deals before their hearing date, some fans hoped to see the Sabres and Timmins sign a contract soon, but multiple reports confirmed that there hasn't been any 'traction' between both camps. As of now, five more players are scheduled to have salary hearings. Here's the full list, per PuckPedia: Arvid Soderblom (Chicago Blackhawks) - July 28 Maksim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders) - July 29 Dylan Samberg (Winnipeg Jets) - July 30 Conor Timmins (Buffalo Sabres) - August 2 Nicholas Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs) - August 3 Jayden Struble (Montreal Canadiens) - August 3 It'll be interesting to see what kind of contract Timmins would get in a hearing, or if a deal will be reached before the date. With the Sabres' reputation, it's not surprising to see that he appears reluctant to sign in Buffalo. Hopefully for their fans, massive changes will be done to the team to make sure they can attract top talent and convince them to stay with the team.
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden Already Has A New Nickname
The Green Bay Packers may have found their next offensive weapon in rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. Just a few days into training camp, Golden has already made a name for himself, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia even gave him the nickname “Bullet,” a nod to his blazing speed and dynamic playmaking ability. With expectations high, Golden is showing why he was a first-round pick and why he could be a key piece in the Packers’ offense this season. A Strong Start to Green Bay Packers Training Camp Golden has wasted no time making an impact in his first NFL training camp. His smooth route running and explosive speed have been on full display, drawing attention from both fans and teammates. According to reports, Golden has already been utilized in a variety of ways, including jet sweeps and motion plays, hinting at the versatile role he could play in the Packers’ offense. Rich Bisaccia’s nickname for Golden, “Bullet,” is a reference to former Olympic sprinter and Dallas Cowboys legend Bob “Bullet” Hayes. The comparison is fitting, as Golden’s speed has been a standout trait since his college days. “He’s got that extra gear,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “You can see it in the way he separates from defenders. It’s exciting to think about what he can bring to our offense.” Matthew Golden: College Dominance at Texas Golden’s college career at Texas was nothing short of spectacular. In his final season, he recorded 1,215 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays in critical moments made him one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Over his three-year college career, Golden amassed 2,987 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, solidifying his status as a first-round talent. His performance at the NFL Combine only added to the hype. Golden ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, showcasing the elite speed that has already earned him comparisons to some of the league’s top deep threats. His combination of size, speed, and route-running ability made him a no-brainer for the Packers, who were in desperate need of a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Filling a Key Role in the Packers’ Offense The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver room has undergone significant changes in recent years. With Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL and other young receivers like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks still developing, Golden has a clear path to playing time. His ability to create separation and make plays downfield could make him a go-to option for Love, especially in critical third-down situations. Golden’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset. Whether lining up in the slot, running jet sweeps, or stretching the field on deep routes, he has the skill set to contribute in multiple ways. “He’s a guy who can do it all,” said veteran running back Josh Jacobs. “You can see the potential. He’s going to be a problem for defenses.” Final Thoughts Matthew Golden’s first week of training camp has been nothing short of impressive. From earning the nickname “Bullet” to showcasing his elite speed and versatility, he’s already proving why the Green Bay Packers invested a first-round pick in him. With his college pedigree and early flashes of brilliance, Golden has the potential to be a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense. As the season approaches, the Packers may have found their next star wide receiver, and the rest of the league should take notice.
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