Rumor: Multiple trade offers on table for Talbot, Nail Yakupov available

Anthony Scultore Jun 18, 2015

Cam Talbot is going to bring in much more than many pundits expected if there is this much interest. As per Darren Dreger’s tweet this morning, up to 5 teams are in with multiple offers received.

Cam Talbot is a hot commodity. Edmtn, Cgy, SJ, Dallas + Florida have expressed interest. Multiple trade offers. First 3 most likely targets.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 18, 2015

If the Rangers are only interested in draft picks, Calgary and San Jose make sense. Dallas and Florida are looking for goaltending this offseason and can also offer picks. However, Edmonton’s Peter Chiarelli is looking to make his first big move by bringing in a #1 goaltender. As Dreger put in this AM on TSN 690, he has Talbot in his “crosshairs”.

So what will this return be? The initial thought was multiple draft picks but if there are already multiple offers and Chiarelli has made Talbot a priority, the #16 pick (Edmonton has 1 and 16) would be a likely possibility. Pam Murray, who broke that Chiarelli would be open to trading the 16th overall pick for Talbot, also noted Nail Yakupov could be moved.

@PlumbobBT Yakupov is the one player Oilers are willing to move. — Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) June 13, 2015

Glen Sather‘s interest in Yakupov, Edmonton’s #1 pick overall in 2012 was documented in 2013. Since then the Oilers have drafted defenseman, Darnell Nurse (2013) and forward, Leon Draisaitl (2014). This season, they will arguably add the biggest name since Sidney Crosby in Connor McDavid.

The Oilers will certainly give McDavid a roster spot in the top 6 next season and Draisitl will also be given a shot at camp. Yakupov’s contract which pays him $2.5M will be up come summer 2017 and he will be looking for a handsome pay raise. Add all these factors up and you can see why the Oilers could look to move Yakupov this summer.

So, we know that Chiarelli wants Talbot and we know Sather would love to add the 21 year old Russian gun slinger to his offense, is there a match? Yakupov will not be given away for Talbot straight up, but this does leave the possibility for a much bigger, potential blockbuster deal this offseason.