Once again, Claude Giroux speculation is growing, and this time the Edmonton Oilers are right in the thick of it.

Don Blake stated on Thursday that he is hearing from sources that the Oilers will be landing Giroux, but he refrained from declaring the transaction complete.

Such kind of hedging generally signifies smoke rather than fire. However, smoke around a name such as Giroux tends to spread quickly.

Bob Stauffer, the voice of Oilers Now, reportedly said that if Edmonton joined in on Giroux, it wouldn’t surprise him, adding even more fuel to the fire. Gill stated that Philadelphia and Ottawa would probably also be in the mix.

Three teams are now vying for the same 38-year-old winger. Not too shabby for someone who was thought to be fading out.

Giroux finished the season with 49 points in 82 games, including 35 assists, and a plus-20 rating in Ottawa.

His cap impact is only $2,000,000. In today’s market, that is a rounding mistake for a player who can still run a power play.

Which begs the obvious question. Edmonton already has two of the most lucrative contracts in hockey. Why would they enter a bidding war for a veteran who is rental-priced?

Edmonton’s cap is reduced by $14,000,000 thanks to Leon Draisaitl. Just behind him is Connor McDavid, at $12,500,000. That is not a spelling error; rather, it is just Thursday in Edmonton.

Why Stan Bowman’s calculations make this feasible.

Fitting Giroux’s $2 million hit onto a cap sheet that is already anchored by two superstar contracts is similar to adding a third chef to a kitchen that already has a full stove. While not impossible, it is close.

When a bottom-six or mid-six upgrade is sufficiently affordable to warrant the paperwork, Oilers GM Stan Bowman has demonstrated that he is willing to be inventive.

Edmonton finished the year 41-30-11 for 93 points, good enough to stay relevant in the Pacific Division but not good enough to feel finished with the roster.

Ottawa isn’t just going to let this play out quietly either. The Senators posted 99 points this season under head coach Travis Green, and Giroux has been a fixture in that locker room.

Philadelphia brings its own pitch too, with Rick Tocchet and GM Daniel Briere running a Flyers team that finished at 98 points and knows exactly what Giroux still brings on a wing.

So does Edmonton actually pull this off, or does Stauffer’s radio comment turn into nothing more than offseason noise? Right now, nobody’s saying no.