Dreger: Petry unlikely to re-sign with Oilers; Red Wings, Ducks may be suitors
/Darren Dreger was on Edmonton’s TSN 1260 on Tuesday morning.
On if the Oilers should trade Jeff Petry now, or closer to the trade deadline:
“Well, clubs know that Jeff Petry is a pending unrestricted free agent. They believe that Craig MacTavish is going to trade him. So I’m sure the clubs who are most interested in adding a right-shot defenceman are already making those calls.
“Craig MacTavish must have a return package in mind - what he needs to get for Jeff Petry to make that type of a move. But he’s also got to balance that with a bit of a risk and a gamble here. Jeff Petry, at 27 years of age, knows his position. I’m sure his agent has educated him on what he needs to do in-season. Don’t focus on the off-season. Don’t start thinking about the dollar signs, and all of that. You do what you have to do on the ice to maximize what your potential will be in the off-season.
“But who’s kidding who? This guy, like every other pending unrestricted free agent, has earned his opportunity to test the market. To see what’s out there. I don’t believe that it’s likely he’s going to re-sign in Edmonton. And I would think that Craig MacTavish feels the same way.
“So when the team that wants him most makes the best offer, that’s when you pull the trigger. You can wait until the trade deadline. And obviously that’s a pressure point for clubs who haven’t got their rental yet. And there are lots of them. We know Detroit wants a right-shot D-man. I’m pretty sure that the Anaheim Ducks would love to get a hold of another right-shot guy.
“Everyone is worrying and watching what’s going on with Tyler Myers in Buffalo. Tim Murray there keeps saying that it’s all media speculation. He hasn’t made any calls. Teams are calling him. Well, I’m not sure if I buy that entirely, but there are other options. But if Murray is true to his word and Myers isn’t likely going to be traded, then you’ve got to cut bait as a team who’s in that hunt and make your best pitch.
“So I think it’s going to be an interesting six weeks or so for Craig MacTavish as he has to analyze and make a decision on how he’s going to adjust his roster.”
Right-shot D must be rare, because it seems like Detroit has been looking for one for years.
“It has been. And you’ve got guys out there, but those who have them are holding on tight because they know that it’s currency right now. But you’re 100 percent right. Kenny Holland has been looking for that player seemingly forever. And there aren’t that many available. So if you have a need, and Detroit has a need, you continue to call. But it’s not like the Red Wings are desperate. I don’t know that that club is ever desperate. Holland is waiting to be patient, or wants to be patient, and waiting for the other managers to maybe flinch a little bit and make a deal.”
Source: TSN 1260/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey