Only nine trades have taken place since the start of the 2022-23 NHL regular season in October, but none have occurred yet in December. However, there could be some activity in the trade market soon as the league's annual holiday roster freeze (Dec. 20-27) draws near.

With the roster freeze approaching, it's no coincidence that there has been an increase in media trade speculation.

Some pundits are pondering where the Vancouver Canucks could ship winger Brock Boeser. Meanwhile, Jakob Chychrun's return to action with the Arizona Coyotes has reheated speculation over which clubs could become potential suitors for the 24-year-old defenseman.

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Boeser and Chychrun are among several notable players to surface in the rumor mill in recent days. We'll try to determine whether any of this conjecture is worth buying or selling.

 

The Edmonton Oilers Could Trade Jesse Puljujärvi

Jesse Puljujarvi's tenure with the Edmonton Oilers could be drawing to a close. On Dec. 10, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported he believes a trade could be coming at some point for the 25-year-old winger.

Friedman cited Puljujärvi's interview with Finnish journalist Tommi Seppala of YLE News Agency in which he questioned his future in the NHL. With just one goal in his first 20 games, he said he didn't have an answer for his scoring woes. While he'd like to be a productive player, he doesn't know if he can do that in the NHL.

Puljujärvi's comments reflect a troubling loss of confidence from a player chosen fourth overall in the 2016 NHL draft. Perhaps he might benefit from a change of scenery after struggling for six seasons with the Oilers.

Friedman pointed out that Oilers management and Puljujärvi's representatives met during the summer and discussed a possible move if things didn't go well this season. He said it could take time for a trade to happen, in part because the Oilers' roster is banged up. They'll also need to shed salary once sidelined winger Evander Kane returns to action.

 

Verdict: Buy

The Oilers have been very patient with Puljujärvi, even when he opted to play in Finland in 2019-20 over a contract dispute. However, things may have finally reached the breaking point. His offensive struggles mean the Oilers won't get much of a return. Getting his $3 million cap hit off their books before Kane's return to the lineup could be more important.