Oilers personnel spotted at Leafs game sparking trade discussion

The Edmonton Oilers were paying close attention to tonight's game with the Detroit Red Wings visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to hockey insider David Pagnotta, the Oilers had a scout in attendance tonight.

Around the trade deadline season, tracking the movement of scouts can be indicators of what teams are being targeted for trade. In this game, the more likely candidate would be the Detroit Red Wings as a fringe playoff team. Specifically, the Red Wings have an abundance of goaltending and scoring bottom six wingers that could interest Edmonton.

Although Ville Husso is currently injured, the Red Wings have more than four capable NHL goalies - all of whom could form a decent tandem with Stuart Skinner and would likely be an upgrade over Pickard. A forward like Daniel Sprong, who can provide cheap depth scoring on a one year $2M contract, has also been rumoured to be of interest by the Oilers.


If the Oilers aren't there scouting the Red Wings for potential trade evaluations, they could be scouting the Maple Leafs for their upcoming game this week, as pointed out by writer Jim Matheson. Whatever the reason, it's fun to speculate and wonder about potential trades around the NHL trade deadline season.