As the 2013-14 NHL season passes the halfway mark, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in all too familiar territory - near the bottom of the league's standings. With 33 points through 46 games, the Oilers sit in 29th place, three points back of the Calgary Flames and five points up on the Buffalo Sabres.
As such, rumors are swirling that change may be afoot, and according to multiple sources, forward Sam Gagner may be one of the first to go.
As Elliotte Friedman of CBC reports (via the Edmonton Journal), Gagner's name has indeed begun to pop up in trade talks.
(Gagner) signed a new three year contract with the team that did not have no-trade protection this year, but Craig MacTavish did promise him they would not deal him. So I think if it does happen, they would try to work with him to a situation he would be happy in if he does move on from the Oilers.
TSN's Darren Dreger adds "there is no question the Oilers would consider moving (Gagner). The expected rate of return would be a top-six forward, a top-four defenceman or a starting goalie."
The 24-year old is under contract with the club through the end of the 2015-16 NHL season, with an average annual valuation of $4.8-million.
