Oilers looking at San Jose Assistant coach Todd Richards

Former Wilkes Barre/Scranton head coach Todd Richards who is currently an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks is getting consideration for the Edmonton Oilers for their vacant head coach position. The Oilers are in no rush to name a new coach but they are giving Richards a strong look. Richards who would be the Penguins head coach if he didn’t accept the Sharks position and remained as head coach with Wilkes Barre, is highly regarded around the league and is viewed as the next up and coming coach. I spoke to

The M.V.P. Debate Poll

The M.V.P. Debate Poll We recently polled six NHL writers on the M.V.P. debate and who they would vote for on other major awards. First up are three writers from the Western Conference we polled this week Questions 1. Who would receive your M.V.P. vote if you had to vote today? 2. In order of 1-3, who are your top three Hart Trophy finalists 3. Norris Trophy Winner 4. Vezina Trophy Winner 5. Calder Trophy Winner 6. If you had to pick one player to build your team around who would that be? The Writers David Staples РEdmonton Journal M.V.P Vote 1. Pavel Datsyuk Top Three Hart Trophy Finalists 2. Pavel Datsyuk, Alexander Ovechkin, Zach Parise Norris Trophy 3. Nicklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, Mike

As for Jagr, like all KHL players, his money is at risk

Jaromir Jagr returning to the NHL has been a hot topic the past month as Jagr indicated this week that he was close to joining the Edmonton Oilers in February. I spoke to Oilers insider David Staples of the Edmonton Journal today who was the first journalist to break the Jagr to Edmonton speculation last month. Read more for the latest scoop on Jagr’s return to the NHL.

NHL Trade Deadline Chart

Photo courtesy of Kaatiya 1. C Vincent Lecavalier Suitors: MTL, ATL, LAK, CHI, EDM, OTT % of trade (5%) Reportedly 6 teams have inquired about Lecavalier 2. D Jay Bouwmeester Suitors: WAS, PHI, TOR, VAN, NJD, BOS, EDM, ANA,  OTT, CAL % of trade: (55%) Top D-Man on the market 3. D Chris Pronger, Suitors: FLA, VAN, TOR,  PHI, NJD, BOS, SJ, STL % of trade (70%) One year left on his contract. 4. Scott Niedermayer Suitors: PHI, NJD, VAN, BOS % of trade (45%) 5. D Tomas Kaberle Suitors: PHI, VAN, LAK, WAS, NJD, BOS, FLA % of trade (45%) 6. LW Martin St. Louis Suitors: PIT, MIN, NYR, VAN, EDM, SJ % of trade (10%): Asking price: Two top

NHL: Hurricanes, Bruins, Sabres pursuing Eric Cole

RW Eric Cole | 57 GP | 13G -10A – 23PTS | Currently the Penguins are not in on Edmonton Oilers forward Eric Cole, nor do I don’t expect them to be but the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins remain in talks with the Oilers about the under-achieving forward. The Oilers are seeking immediate help in return and are only interested in moving Cole to the Eastern Conference

Source: “Garon will push Fleury for playing time”

Scouting Report LA Kings 2005/2006: 31‚Äì26‚Äì3 (3.22 GAA) LA Kings 2006/2007: 13-10-6 (2.66 GAA) EDM 2007/2008: 26-18-1 (2.66 GAA) EDM 2008/2009: 6-8-0 (3.17 GAA) From a Source in Edmonton: “Mathieu Garon is an excellent pick up for the Penguins. He was clearly not a favorite of coach Craig MacTavish, who always had much more time and patience for Dwayne Roloson, who took the Oilers to the Cup final in 2006.” “But Garon clearly outplayed Roloson by a long shot last season. Garon started strongly this year, but had a few bad games, and MacTavish quickly went back to his old standby Roloson.” “Garon is a free agent after this season, but might be had for a relatively small amount, and

Friday’s NHL Rumor Mill

The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Ducks GM Brian Burke. Is Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish on the hot seat? Hossa over Franzen?