As per TSN:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=354525


I'm actually pretty surprised by this. If he's claimed, the Oilers are on the hook for half of his salary. Figured they'd wait until the summer (when waivers wouldn't apply) to finally rid themselves of this guy.

My guess is that they have a team who wants him, will claim him, and then make a swap with the Oilers..... that's in their favour. Rangers have been rumoured to be interested all year, but who knows?