Oilers management is laughing, and for good reason.

When asked about the speculation surrounding a possible trade that could send Ales Hemsky to the Montreal Canadiens, Oilers assistant GM Kevin Prendergast had to chuckle.

"Hemmer's a guy you build your team around," he told the Edmonton Journal.

"Who are we supposed to be getting for Hemmer, anyway?"


According to the Journal, which cited online reports that have made their way to fan message boards, the Oilers would send Hemsky to the Habs for sniper Chris Higgins, defensive prospect P.K. Subban and another player.

It's not going to happen.

"I don't think you'd consider anybody an untouchable these days but the deal would have to blow our socks off to get him out of here," Prendergast said. "I'd be in shock (if Hemsky was ever moved). We have talked to Montreal about other things, but it was not about moving any of our players."