In today';s rumor rundown, speculation is running wild as to what the Oilers
will do after finding out they';d be losing Andrej Sekera for most of the
2018-19 season, things seem eerily quiet on the Erik Karlsson front and
Vancouver is going to re-open talks with Brock Boeser next week. Finally, is
Toby Entstrom going to make a decision on his hockey future soon?Oilers Plans
to Replace Andrej Sekera

The minute the news was announced that Oilers'; defenseman Andrej Sekera would
be missing most of the season after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery,
insiders for the Oilers have been speculating as to what the next move for the
team will be.Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera (2) and Carolina
Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) during the NHL game between the Edmonton
Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena.

Jim Matheson wrote that he bets the Oilers bring in ex-Oiler Brandon Davidson
in on a PTO. He also suggested left-handed Luca Sbisa may be the best bet, and
it would mean Darnell Nurse moves into their top-four.

Other speculation is the team may look at moving shot-blocker Kris Russell
over to his natural side and potentially calling upon recently signed Kevin
Gravel, or recently drafted Evan Bouchard to fill some of the hole left in
Sekera';s absence. Cody Franson, Ryan Sproul, Frank Corrado, and veteran
Kevin Bieksa are available as right-shot defensemen while Toby Enstrom, Alexei
Emelin, Johnny Oduya could fill in on the left side.

In a long shot, the team could look to trading for a player like Carolina';s
Justin Faulk or Colorado';s Tyson Barrie.Related: Oilers Options to Replace
Sekera on DefenseAll Quiet on Erik Karlsson Front

Brent Wallace of TSN reports that contract talks between the Ottawa Senators
and defenseman Erik Karlsson have gone "eerily quiet". This after general
manager Pierre Dorion offered a contract that was deemed low by insiders and
Karlsson early in July. Karlsson hasn';t made any public comments about his
situation in Ottawa nor has he talked about rumors on him being traded before
the end of the season.Erik Karlsson #65, Ottawa Senators - February 3, 2018
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Wallace said things will likely stay that way and that the Senators captain has
 no intentions of speaking publicly until camp opens in early-September. There
is speculation the silence is a telling sign that Karlsson expects to be traded
 in much the same way Matt Duchene was silent prior to being moved out of
Colorado. That said, there is no report that Karlsson has asked for a trade or
would hold out of camp until one was made.Related: NHL Rumors: Haula, Drouin,
Silfverberg, MoreBrock Boeser and Canucks To Talk Extension Next Week

As is being reported by TSN and the Vancouver Province, Canucks general manager
 Jim Benning started talking with Brock Boeser's camp last month and plans to
reopen those talks with Boeser';s agent Ben Hankinson again next week. "We
haven't got down to talking term," Benning told The Vancouver Province
on Tuesday. "We plan to circle back and I'm not sure where it's going to go,
but we want to see if we can get somewhere. There's no time frame on it.Brock
Boeser, Vancouver Canucks, Nov. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Benning said that he doesn';t expect a drop-off from Boeser despite an
increased role and tougher matchups. He also said that if Boeser plays well, he
 knows the landscape of the NHL and some of the contracts that may come up in
the next six months will drive up the price.

There';s a decision to made by the Canucks,. Should they try to sign Boeser
before that price rises? Or, should they wait and see how he';ll come back from
 a couple injuries that shortened last season. Currently, Boeser is playing
in Minnesota';s Da Beauty League and looking strong ahead of his sophomore
season.Related: NHL Rumors: Seguin, Rinne, Schmaltz, Duchene, MoreToby Enstrom
 Decision Coming Soon

When the Edmonton Oilers lost Sekera, Toby Enstrom was one of the names that
popped into mind for some insiders as a replacement. But, there has been no
reported communication between two sides and it actually looks like Enstrom may
 sign in Sweden.

Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet spoke with MODO GM Michael Sundlov, who wants
to sign Enstrom and expects the veteran NHL defenseman to make a decision soon.
 Enstrom's brother Tommy Enstrom plays on the club and wore an "A" as an
alternate captain last season, giving the team another bargaining chip to bring
 to the table. Enstrom is currently practicing with the team.

The post NHL Rumors: Sekera, Karlsson, Boeser, More appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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