In today’s NHL rumors rundown, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggested the Edmonton Oilers have three needs they’ll be keeping an eye open for in trades, but GM Ken Holland commented on where his team is at heading into the trade deadline. The Pittsburgh Penguins have someone in their ranks that the Vancouver Canucks might be interested in, and the Vegas Golden Knights might be looking to move Evgenii Dadonov. Finally, which two teams are the happiest about news the salary cap could make a sizeable jump ahead of the 2024-25 season?

Oilers Eyeing Three Pieces, Smith’s Status

The Oilers lost their fifth consecutive game on Saturday when they lost 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. A miscue by Mikko Koskinen late in the game led to the third marker and put the contest out of reach. Not coincidentally, Friedman notes that a goaltender is one of the three pieces the Oilers are looking at in a possible trade.

Friedman noted the Oilers want a left-shot defenseman, another center, and a goalie, even though Jason Gregor reports that Mike Smith might be ready to return soon. Gregor tweeted, “Hearing Oilers believe Smith could play Tuesday. If everything goes well in practice tomorrow he could return for the first time since October 19th. Keith is also a possibility, but right now sounds better chance for Smith.”