Rumor: Buffalo Sabres & Edmonton Oilers Discussing Trade

The Buffalo Sabres are mulling over multiple trade idea as general manager Kevyn Adams infamously put up the 'for sale' sign last week during a press conference. One trade to look out for, veteran forward Eric Staal heading to the Edmonton Oilers.

According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Staal is open to the idea of a trade as he never wanted to be dealt to the Sabres in the first place from the Minnesota Wild. Staal's family stayed back in Minnesota and he's been living on his own in Buffalo, anticipating his next move. Turns out that could be heading back west to Edmonton.

The Oilers are pressed up against the cap, so it will be a money-in-money-out deal. The Sabres will likely retain some of Staal's $3.25 million salary. So far this season the 36-year-old Staal has scored three times and has nine points in 24 games.

The likely trade piece for the Oilers is forward Jujhar Khaira, who is in the final season of his contract, paying him $1.2 million. The 26-year-old has two goals and seven points in 18 games. He's been long rumored to be on the move from Edmonton and getting the return of a legit #3 center in Staal would provide the Oilers with better depth down the middle.

Here's what LeBrun had to say about a Staal trade:

I'm told that he (Staal) would be open to a deal to a contender. He has a partial no-trade, 10 teams on it, but for the right team he would certainly go. Keep an eye on Edmonton. The Oilers would have to be dollar in, dollar out - they're right at the cap, they're in LTIR, but they are looking to upgrade their third line, and I'm told that Eric Staal is a name that has been mentioned internally by the Oilers brass.