The Edmonton Oilers are open for business ahead of Friday’s NHL Draft, with general manager Peter Chiarelli saying he’s willing to part with the 10th overall pick.
Chiarelli said during a media availability on Thursday that he is looking to land a defenceman in return.
It’s no great secret the Oilers are in need of help on defence. Sportsnet insiders Jeff Marek and Sam Cosentino both predict the club will select a rearguard Friday night — prospects Adam Boqvist and Ty Smith both look like they could fit in well.
"There are some good defencemen in the top part of the draft, but we're going to take the best player available." Chiarelli on the #Oilers outlook for the 10th pick at tomorrow's #NHLDraft 1st round
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 21, 2018
“There’s been a lot of chatter this week & we’ve been involved in the chatter… We’ll see where it goes,” he told reporters.
The GM’s most notable attempt to build up his blue line via trade has been met with plenty of criticism. He acquired Adam Larsson from New Jersey in a one-for-one exchange for Taylor Hall back in June 2016. That transaction hasn’t exactly panned out for Edmonton, with the team still struggling on defence while Hall enjoyed a Hart Trophy-winning season with the Devils.
Chiarelli touched on several roster-related topics during Thursday’s media availability, including the future of veteran forward Milan Lucic, indicating that Lucic will still be an Oiler this fall.
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