Dreger: Oilers/Leafs talking Kerfoot for Benning trade

[Papa Francouz]

I guess I mean to ask:

Can Benning play a top 4 role?

I'd say more bottom-4 than top-4.

 

[TootooTrain]

Ah so who likely moves up to that line if they moved Kerfoot?

Either Engvall or Johnsson. Allows Gauthier to get back into the lineup as the 4c.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Kerfoot has been producing at a lesser rate than he even was in Colorado at over twice the salary. I am not sure why Dubas would put him on the trade market after trading Kadri for him? If there is some truth with this rumour. Benning is in his last year of his contract, he will likely ask for a raise this summer. Not sure if this is motivation enough to take back 3.5m for Kerfoot who is on pace for only 35 points this year. I guess at least there is something to talk about today.

 

[Saltcreek]

I guess I mean to ask:

Can Benning play a top 4 role?

You do not want Benning in a top 4 role, he is a tyre fire in that position. Benning is a solid bottom pairing dman though.

 

[LeafGrief]

Ah so who likely moves up to that line if they moved Kerfoot?

Probably Johnsson, which would get Timashov into the lineup full time. Johnsson played top6 LW before he was hurt this year. He's struggled to put points on the board most of the year, but we've seen him in the role and he's no slouch. Totally fine if that means solving a defensive issue.

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Johnsson - Tavares - Nylander
Clifford - Engvall - Kapanen
Timashov - Spezza - Goat

Something like that. We've got Marlies who can fill pressbox roles and 4th line injury replacements if necessary.

 

[Warden of the North]

Was he just throwing out names as examples? Because Im fairly certain Dreger himself would tweet about it if it was substantial.

Sorry if I dont trust random twitter bros understanding of context

 

[TCB]

is Jim Benning on the block???

Yes E-5 that he's going back to Boston with Boeser.

 

[4thline]

Could be interesting depending on the adds to Benning.

In the past I liked the idea of Benning as a low cost add that might have some room to grow, but he's kind of stagnated and with the emergence of Holl/ readiness of Liljegren it kind of creates a log jam without addressing a top pair minute muncher.

 

[Warden of the North]

closed unless someone comes up with actual proof of this conversation