Rumors Pick Up Linking Brad Marchand to Edmonton Oilers

For the second time in the last five days, rumors linking Boston Bruins super-pest and pending UFA Brad Marchand to the Edmonton Oilers have surfaced.

Oilers writer Preston Hodgkinson has written a piece wondering if Edmonton could make a blockbuster trade to bring in the Bruins captain. Buzz surrounding the 36-year-old has picked up as there is no indication of an extension being close, plus the fact that the Bruins are struggling this season, now in 6th place in the Atlantic Division going into Tuesday's play.

Outside of the scoring that Marchand would bring, it would also give Edmonton one of the most annoying players to play against in the entire league. Add that to a roster that already includes Corey Perry and suddenly, the Oilers are one of the most insufferable teams for opposing players to play against.

The idea of Boston trading Marchand—as hard to imagine as that may be—isn't as crazy as it once seemed. Insider Elliotte Friedman recently said on his 32 Thoughts podcast, "There was a time in this year where I didn’t think there was a chance that Marchand would be (traded) out (of Boston),” Friedman said. “Now I think it’s not as certain, depending on what happens here (regarding their playoff chances)."

Hodgkinson isn't the first to suggest an Edmonton landing spot for Marchand if it came to that. Allan Mitchell wrote in The Athletic last week:

Acquiring Marchand at the deadline would be something close to a perfect fit for the Oilers. If he does become available, Bowman and Edmonton should be aggressive in pursuing Marchand.

Hodgkinson went on to propose a potential return the Oilers could offer to the Bruins for Marchand.

It would start with their No. 1 prospect Matthew Savoie, along with a first-round pick. He adds that any of Evander Kane, Jeff Skinner, Adam Henrique, or Viktor Arvidsson could be included as well.

If Marchand actually hits the market, you can be certain that there will be several contenders lining up, so the Oilers would face some competition.