The Gut Reaction: Peter Chiarelli Talking to Edmonton Oilers

Jun 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins head coach Peter Chiarelli is interviewed during media day in preparation for game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

As of yesterday, Ex-Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli was up in Edmonton talking with the Oilers, most likely about a job opportunity there. As of now, the Edmonton Oilers have a GM in place. But if Chiarelli were to get hired, current Oilers GM Craig Mactavish would be out the door.

If Chiarelli were to get hired by the Oilers, it would be a perfect fit. The Oilers need an experienced guy who’s had a lot of success to come in and help this falling franchise.

Another reason why Chiarelli would be a perfect fit in Edmonton would be because of experience, and not the experience of “winning” per say but the experience of not winning.

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When Chiarelli came to Boston in May of 2006, he was basically put at the helm of a broken franchise. In his first season, it was more of the same with losses, a bad coach and the third worst record in the Eastern Conference. But his next season was truly remarkable.

With the hiring of a new coach, the Bruins went from 13th in the East to 8th with relatively the same team. They challenged the Montreal Canadiens in the first round and lost in 7 games.

This situation is very similar to the one in Edmonton right now.

But the real question is, how does the possible signing of Chiarelli effect Boston? The answer is: more ways than you’d think.

Out of the last 7 drafts, the Oilers have had the first overall pick 4 times, grabbing Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov so far and with the probable pick of star Connor McDavid, the team will be full of offense yet still will be lacking in defense and goaltending.

Apr 11, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall (4) skates with the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

This is where the Bruins come in.

In Boston, Chiarelli made it known that he loved players such as Milan Lucic and Malcolm Subban, who are ironically two players that carry very high values.

Since the Oilers will more than likely pick up McDavid in this years draft, players such as Taylor Hall will become expendable. He’s had a solid career with Edmonton but hasn’t really helped the team in the ways they thought he would. So, it’s time to move on.

The Bruins need a real scorer that can finish, which is exactly what Taylor Hall is and could become if he joined the Bruins and the system revolved more around offense. Chiarelli could make a deal for Lucic and/or Subban involving Hall.

Apr 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) skates with the puck in the second period ad at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bruins did get Hall, it would be a perfect fit: young and can put the puck in the net.

If the Oilers got Lucic, they would have a rough first or second liner that can also score and has a Stanley Cup to show for it. If they got Subban, they would have a goalie of the future who could solidify the goaltending situation in Edmonton.

But there’s one problem.

Since things ended poorly between the Bruins and Chiarelli, would he still make a trade with the team? The daunting thought of him “losing” in a deal with Boston would almost ruin his ego and career. Even if the deal helped both teams equally or helped his team more, there’s a chance he wouldn’t do it because of not wanting to help his former employer.

So the big question is this: would Chiarelli make a deal with Boston if he became the General Manager of Edmonton?

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