Oilers GM talks recent moves: ‘Other teams aren’t there to help you’

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Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli speaks to the media. (Codie McLachlan/CP)

Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli hears the cries for a top-pairing defenceman.

Unfortunately, those aren’t easy to find.

“Other teams aren’t looking to help you,” Chiarelli said on Prime Time Sports on Monday. “So, 1. That star player that everybody wants, it’s generally not there.

“And 2., the deals that are available, [other GMs] know what position you’re in, they know your vulnerabilities, so there’s a level of discretion you need to exercise and also act in a relatively quick manner … these deals are difficult to make.”

The Oilers brought in defencemen Alex Petrovic, Brandon Manning and prospect Robin Norell on Sunday, while defencemen Chris Wideman and Jason Garrison, along with forward Drake Caggiula and a third-round draft pick were shipped out.

The moves were intended to make the Oilers more effective in their own end.

“Universally speaking, you want your blue line to be able to defend and move the puck,” said Chiarelli.

You can listen to Chiarelli’s full interview in the player below:

 
Peter Chiarelli : After injuries Oilers were "hanging by a thread"
December 31 2018
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