EDMONTON — A few weeks ago, Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Jones was an earnest observer when it came to all matters relating to the NHL trade deadline.

But the winger conceded on Friday that the closer the Feb. 28 deadline gets, the less time he spends pondering the possibilities.

“It’s weird. I thought about it a lot more two or three weeks ago,” he said. “The business side of hockey is tricky because you never see it, you never see what’s going on and, to tell you the truth, at times, the business side sucks. But it is part of it, it’s never going to go away, so whatever happens, happens.

“That goes for all the guys in the locker-room. We are going to be a team after the deadline comes, so we’re going to stick together — no matter who is here.”

This time last year, Jones, 26, was a spare part with the Nashville Predators, which is how he ended up in Edmonton.

The Oilers claimed the winger off the waiver wire on March 3, then got two games out of him before he hobbled off the ice with a knee injury.

He has since settled into his utility role, but it may not be for an extended stretch of time.

On July 1 Jones will be an unrestricted free agent, which could mean he’d be of interest to a playoff contender looking for a penalty killer/fourth liner. He has popped in 13 goals despite averaging just 12:15 of ice time a game.

If the trade deadline passes and he hasn’t been moved, will he be re-signed? His current contract is worth $975,000 US.

“It’s always in the back of your mind, but you try not to think about it too much. It’s one of those things you just let your agent deal with,” Jones said. “Honestly, I haven’t talked to him since the start of the year. We have minimal conversation. If something comes up, he tells me.

“Obviously, nothing has come up.

“This is a young team that’s going to go places in a couple of years and I’m happy to be a part of it this year. I like being here, but it’s up to the management and coaches as to which core players they want. If I’m part of that, great. If not, I’ll have to go in another direction.”

Drafted by the Minnesota Wild (their fifth choice, 111th overall) in 2004, Jones played just four games with the American Hockey League Houston Aeros before he was traded to Nashville, along with a second-round pick, for defenceman Marek Zidlicky.

He played 87 games in two seasons with the Predators, just 30 more than he’s played this season with Edmonton. The 57 games this season is a career-high.

Jones has contributed 17 points, which equals the seven goals and 10 assists he contributed in 2008-09. His 13 NHL goals this season equals his career-high AHL total.

“They’ve given me a great opportunity here to develop as a player and it’s one thing I’ve taken advantage of. The coaches here are great when it comes to not only trying to win games, but trying to make each player better.

“In Nashville, coach Trotz used to always tell me that you have to play with confidence, but that you had to earn it. But at the same time, if I made a mistake there, I was punished, so my confidence was low.”

jireland@edmontonjournal.com

Twitter.com/jirelandEJ