Friedman: "No question" there's a market for Petry
/Elliotte Friedman was on 630 CHED Friday afternoon.
On if there’s a market for Jeff Petry around the NHL:
“Yes there is. There’s no question. But I think the thing that makes it tough now is that he’s an unrestricted free agent in a few months. And that always switches the leverage away from the team that’s trying to trade him.”
Related: Eakins calls on fans to rally behind Oilers
Also: “Look – I think we all see where this is going. Edmonton is not going to extend him and he’s not going to want to be extended. I think he’s a useful player. I just think that right now, the leverage has shifted away from the Oilers. Because he’s on a one-year deal, so you can’t technically sign him until after January 1. So even if the Oilers wanted to let somebody talk to him, you’ve got to wait. So I think that even makes it more difficult for them.
“I really think you’re at the point now where you should probably make the deal just to end the distraction, see what you can get. I realize you’re not dealing from a position of strength when you do that, but because of the UFA clock, you’re probably not in a position of strength anyway. Unless there’s a huge market for him, and I think there are teams always interested in a right-handed shot D.”
Source: 630 CHED/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey