Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Little known fact, he can in fact still be traded. He is no longer eligible to play in the NHL playoffs after a trade however.
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Vancouver, Arizona, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Columbus, Montreal, and very soon New Jersey, Ottawa and Carolina are all possible trading partners.
This applies to the Oilers garbage too; they aren't totally handcuffed from making a deal right now, as roughly a third of the league is still in play.
In both cases, of course, a non-rebuilding team likely does make a lot more sense to incorporate 'entitled' players and whip them into shape as opposed to other losing teams. Also trading more expensive or soon to be expensive players for a guy on ELC that doesn't look set for a huge raise yet. (e.g. Andrew Shaw? He looks to be in a similar spot as Backlund before his latest contract. Chicago would need to re-sign TT, AP and Drouin at the end of next year, but they could probably get another year out of Drouin for 1.5 and then flip him if he's earned another big contract. Obviously lots of other possiblities, just spitballing.).
The best play for the bolts is definitely to wait though; in a perfect world Drouin busts is ass and works his way up to be the #1 callup come playoff injury time, where he can wash away some of the stench under the brighter lights.