First off, the Oilers could use a “sniper” to bolster their attack, some in the mold of San Jose Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo.

Secondly, the Oilers will look to add some toughness. While it’s unlikely that former Oilers tough guy Georges Laraque will return to Edmonton, there are other options. Those include UFAs Wade Belak of the Florida Panthers, Jody Shelley of the Sharks, Darcy Hordichuk of the Nashville Predators, and Todd Fedoruk of the Minnesota Wild.

Jean LeFebvre of The Calgary Herald suggests that Calgary Flames pending UFA forward Kristian Huselius may have a hard time getting the contract he wants this summer.

While his play in the months of October, December, January, and so far in March, has been superb, November and February saw the skilled forward play the worst hockey of the season.

Ottawa Senators pending UFA forward Cory Stillman tells James Gordon of The Ottawa Citizen that he’d love to re-sign with the club.

“I’d like to stay. It’s close to home, to my home town,” the Peterborough, Ont., native said. “You know, I was happy in Carolina, but (Ottawa) is one of the places I had said that if I ever had the chance to play, I would jump on it.

“So I’m here now and hopefully I can continue on for a couple years.”

Stillman says he hasn’t had any talks about a contract extension with Senators’ management, yet.

“My thing right now is to come play, win hockey games and continue to play into June,” the 34-year-old said.

According to Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post, Washington Capitals pending restricted free agent forward Brooks Laich could receive a significant raise this summer. A three-year, $3 million deal isn’t out of the question.

However, Panthers GM and head coach Jacques Martin said Friday that he has not found the type of player he would like to see fill.

“It just hasn’t been available, a person to fill that role,” Martin said.

According to Biggane, Martin wants a player who is “tough enough to protect his teammates and yet skilled enough” to contribute on the scoresheet.

“It’s a tough spot to fill, because you don’t want to waste a roster spot on somebody who can’t play the game,” Martin said.

The name of Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil jumps to mind. Having coached him in while bench boss in Ottawa, Martin would no doubt love to have him on his team. But what are the chances the Senators become available?

What about Columbus Blue Jackets heavyweight Jody Shelley? The Blue Jackets have already benched the forward in in 5 of their 6 games, and speculation is that the club has “soured” on Shelley.

Another option for the Panthers is to look within the organization, namely at forward Anthony Stewart. However, “Stewart hasn’t shown an inclination” to drop the gloves at the NHL level.

Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe reports that if the Rangers were to acquire Phoenix Coyotes blueliner Ed Jovanovski, defenseman Paul Mara would “almost certainly” be included in the deal.

Dupont also reports that UFA goalie Curtis Joseph has not retired, and in fact is trying to stay in shape in case an NHL team becomes interested in his services. Dupont suggests that a veteran back-up like Joseph could make about $600,000.

Also from Dupont, rumors continue to make the rounds that the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils are exploring the possibility of signing UFA defenseman Danny Markov.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the 31-year-old blueliner is demanding $3.5 million per season, a price that “doesn’t seem a comfortable fit against either club’s cap figure.”

Garrioch also suggests that the Edmonton Oilers have some interest in forward Jody Shelley, the Columbus Blue Jackets tough guy.

Lastly from Garrioch, the Colorado Avalanche have tried to trade goalie Jose Theodore and his $6 million salary during the off-season. Obviously, there were no takers for the struggling goaltender, but that doesn’t mean the Avalanche aren’t still trying to move Theodore. They can try to send the former Vezina and Hart Trophy winner to the minors, and hope a team picks him up on re-entry waivers at half the cost.