Daniel Nugent-Hopkins, -er I mean Bowman, wrote recently of the five most likely “assets” in play for the Edmonton Oilers at this year’s NHL trade deadline. Let’s take a look at who he mentioned!
But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors
The 2024+2025 1st round picks
“They’d better acquire such an impactful player in this scenario because the trade-off is steep. The cupboards are already bare here. That Ekholm trade cost the Oilers their 2023 first-rounder and Reid Schaefer, their top pick just months prior.”
- I’m not worried about dealing 1st rounders anymore. I think the club has done pretty decently in the latter rounds in the Holland-era that I feel confident in using them to improve the club in the short-term.
- On top of that, I don’t see an impact player in the draft rankings where Edmonton sits now or could sit should they continue their fiery pace until the end of the regular season.
- Frank Seravalli and Bob Stauffer were talking about Adam Henrique and Sean Monahan on Oilers Now! this week and one would have to think that the cost of either of those centers would include a 1st rounder considering the seasons they’re having.
2. Philip Broberg
“Should the Oilers decide to move Broberg, he’d have some value because he’s young, he was recently a high pick and he’s cheap. He’s in the final year of his entry-level contract with no grounds to strike it rich on his next deal… Interestingly, he’s played exclusively on his natural left side when he has plenty of experience at the right defence, too. That provides a tip for who could be on the outs if Broberg isn’t traded.”
- Nothing has changed for me here. I’m still of the belief that Edmonton is going to hold on to Broberg. His next deal won’t be cumbersome at all and the Oilers are going to need cheap young players that are able to impact the games when they’re on the ice. One could argue that the club bricking his path to the NHL might be on purpose for financial reasons.
- I’d also add that his value is much much higher than it was back in early December.
3. Brett Kulak
“DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli had Kulak on his most recent trade board in part because of Broberg’s ability to backfill that spot with a nearly $2 million savings on the cap… He might be a little too pricy for the Oilers right now.”
- Someone in my Twitter feed recently said that Brett Kulak is a player good teams trade for at the deadline for depth. They don’t generally trade them away and I agree with that.
- I could see him being this year’s Tyson Barrie though. Edmonton has Broberg right there in the waiting to fill Kulak’s boots and if Ken Holland is going to upgrade the roster somewhere else, he’ll need to move some money around..
4. Rafa Lavoie
“Lavoie might still be a call-up option in the weeks ahead and could be a top-nine fixture next season. The Oilers will need cheap forwards on the roster come the fall, too, especially with most or all of Connor Brown’s bonus set to slip over onto next season’s cap… He’s not a non-starter in trade talks, though. It’s very unlikely the Oilers would say no if another team desperately wanted him, and they got a key player back.”
- Do the Oilers need another Alex Chiasson on the roster for next season? I don’t think the 4th line would hurt with Lavoie on it as he’s clearly done with the AHL.
- However, I’m not sure what else he brings to the table aside from his shot at the NHL level. He’s not going to go on the PK or the PP, so that’s going to stunt his development. He’ll fight but he’s not Ryan Reaves nor is he the sort of player that bangs bodies when he doesn’t have the puck.
- Sure, he’s got 13 goals but he’s not really outpacing last season’s totals. It might make perfect sense to find a team that has a piece Edmonton needs and deal him while he’s got some heat.
- Maybe use him to bring Pat Maroon back? Just an idea. A little more Cup pedigree never hurt and Oilers fans LOVE Patty! 800k cap hit, no less.
5. Xavier Bourgault
“He’s regressing statistically. Bourgault projects to finish with worse offensive numbers than he did last season. He has just five goals and 14 points in 35 games compared to 13 goals and 34 points in 62 contests a year ago. As with Lavoie, the Oilers wouldn’t be expected to keep him off limits to another team if he means securing an ideal return.”
- When I watch him he looks like he’s got the tools but the finish just isn’t there. That could be due to linemates but he’s had some good AHL vets to play with over these last two years and also some higher end prospects too. Yet, the results are the same.
- Man, Holland’s got to live with passing over some major talent to draft Bourgault instead, eh?
- Move Gogo is my advice. Get what you can I reckon because the good ones will always find a way to get their names on the score sheet. Be that in the points department or elsewhere.
- I’m wondering if Dallas might have interest in him considering they’ve got an ex-junior teammate in Mavrik Bourque lighting it up for their AHL affiliate.
- If I’m being completely honest, I don’t know any teams that would want to take him on unless it’s one of those swaps where each team has a player who needs a change of scenery.
- I really thought Bourgault would be further along. When I watched him last year and previous I admired his abilities in the muck. He wasn’t the most physical guy but he could always get the puck out of the corner or off the wall and make a play with it. Am I the only guy that noticed?
The King of the North is here! Click the pic and grab a shirt!
