Dreger: "Substantive" talks between Oilers, Blue Jackets

Darren Dreger was on Ottawa’s TSN 1200 on Wednesday afternoon.

On the Oilers, the Blue Jackets, David Perron, Artem Anisimov, and if he’s heard anything new:

"Not really, and I mean those conversations were substantive. I wouldn’t say they were really getting close to closing in on that deal, but, I mean, the players have been identified in terms of the interest going both sides.

Related: The Frustration Tracker: NHL Insiders on the Edmonton Oilers

“And you can understand why Jarmo Kekalainen and John Davidson would show interest in David Perron. They had him on the St. Louis Blues. And obviously the Edmonton Oilers need a centre. I just can’t believe the Columbus Blue Jackets would make that deal one-for-one. So maybe that’s what holding it up. They’re probably looking for, if not a little bit more, maybe even a lot more from the Edmonton Oilers to close on that deal. But that’s one of many irons that Craig MacTavish has in the fire.”

Source: TSN 1200/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey