Blue Jackets GM Kekalainen characterizes trade talks as 'regular,' isn't close to a deal
The woeful Edmonton Oilers are reportedly close to a deal involving winger David Perron, and the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets are believed to be very involved.
It's been suggested by a variety of sources, including Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, TSN's Aaron Ward and Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, that Perron and Blue Jackets checking center Artem Anisimov could be swapped in a potential deal. The trade could reportedly be consummated in short order.
The trade makes a good deal of sense on paper, as the Oilers would get the quality two-way centerman they're so desperate for, while the Blue Jackets would net a physical scoring winger who could help offset the probable long-term loss of Nathan Horton.
However, Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen poured some cold water on the metastasizing trade rumors on Wednesday:
#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen says he's having "regular talks" w other GMs, is not close to a trade.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 26, 2014
Maybe Kekalainen had an additional helping of trade-talk fibre this morning, to ensure his discussions were extra regular.
It's worth noting that NHL general managers have a reputation for being less than completely honest when it comes to sharing the specifics of potential trades - especially when rumors are leaking out in public.
But with this much smoke - three reliable sources reporting that the Blue Jackets are involved in trade talks for Perron - there has to be some fire, right?