Recently, The Athletic released their trade board and I’d like to take a look at it coming from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective. If you want to look at the whole article, I will include a link at the bottom of this post where you can read the full snippets on each player from Craig Custance.
The Oilers are going to be in tough to do anything more than tinker with their lineup seeing that they only having around $6M-$8M in cap space depending on if you include the qualifying offers to William Lagesson and Ethan Bear. Three million less if they qualify Andreas Athanasiou and they need a 3C and a backup goalie.
There will be moves…
That said, if the club was willing to take a hit on a couple of trades in order to open up cap room, they do have the assets to bring in one or two really good hockey players.
https://twitter.com/BeerLeagueHeroe/status/1306768145516908544
Let’s get to the board,
The Athletic:
1. Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets: “It would have to take a monster offer to pry Laine away from the Jets, but they need a No. 2 center along with a top-four defenseman and are loaded on the wing.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Just this morning, Bob Stauffer suggested an offer of Max Domi, a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and Cale Fleury for Patrik Laine to George Laraque… He felt confident that would get the conversation started if Montreal wanted to grab a winger.
2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes: “The problem here is that his contract is rich even for a player of his caliber, with seven years remaining on a deal that averages $8.25 million.”
BLH’s Thoughts: There’s a lot of anxiety in Oil Country right now regarding OEL. A lot of fans are not exactly enamoured with the idea of Edmonton trading for a 29yr old defenseman with 7 years left on his deal that pays him over $8M per annum. That’s understandable and defenseable.
On the other hand, if you thought the numbers Darnell Nurse are putting up with Connor McDavid are good, what do you think OEL will put up with him? Bringing a consensus #1 d-man to the Oilers would give the coach the ability to properly deploy his defenders and give the team some balance.
Lastly, how much do you think a proper #1/2 defenseman is paid? If it’s below $7.5M/yr, it’s a bargain.
3. Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild: “Billy (Guerin) wants a centerman somehow,” said one NHL executive. “(Dumba) is dynamic and right-shot defensemen are a premium.”
BLH’s Thoughts: The Wild are also after a bunch of Minnesota-born players. Likely why Brock Boeser’s name is being linked to the club. If Minnesota is after a 2C, I can’t see Edmonton being a good trade partner for them save for one scenario, the Oilers use Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to acquire Dumba and then go out and sign Taylor Hall.
However, Minny does have one player I wouldn’t mind Edmonton taking a look at, Luke Kunin. A right-shot center who scored 15 goals and had 31 points this season. He’s only 22 years old and would be more than a perfect third-line center. He can also play the wing if need be.
Joel Eriksson Ek may be another option. Offense hasn’t progressed as expected but is a good defensive pivot.
4. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins: “A team like Edmonton might make sense here but signability is key. If he’s willing to take a short-term deal to rebuild his value, the options open up. If he wants, say, John Gibson money ($6.4 million per) it’ll make finding a fit more challenging.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Unless the Penguins trade demands are lowered, I don’t believe Oilers GM Ken Holland will acquire him. Maybe Pittsburgh includes Bryan Rust or Patric Hornqvist and takes on a contract from Edmonton though. That might be a workable deal.
5. Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs: “Andersen has appeal for teams looking to upgrade in goal without a lot of out-of-pocket expense.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Does an Andersen/Kuemper swap make sense?
6. Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils: “One source on a potentially interested team said the price on Palmieri is high in part because the Devils are in no rush at this point.”
BLH’s Thoughts: If there was one player who I thought would not get traded out of New Jersey, it’s Palmiere. I was under the impression that he wanted to stay there and that the Devils wanted him to stay. Why would they want to move a good veteran who can score goals and be a trigger man for Jack Hughes?
7. Max Domi, Montreal Canadiens: “While Domi’s name has been attached to trade rumors, the reality is that this probably isn’t the time to maximize his trade value.”
BLH’s Thoughts: He’s going to get moved. Montreal has Philip Danault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Nick Suzuki as their top-three centers. There’s simply no room for Domi unless he goes to the wing. That worked for Nugent-Hopkins, could it work for Domi?
8. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights: “If Vegas retains money, he’d be an interesting fit in Colorado, a team some believe would like to upgrade their goaltending situation if the right opportunity presented itself.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t even want to think about what the Avs are going to do this offseason… They could do nothing but graduate Alex Newhook, Martin Kaut, and Bowen Byram and be better or they could let those players marinate and sign Taylor Hall, Alex Pietrangelo, and deal for Marc-Andre Fleury. It’s sickening is what it is. But, it’s only for one year…
9. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins: “Letang believes a trade now or before next season is expected. The talk around Letang may just be Rutherford getting a feel for what his options are as he makes another push.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Letang is one of those players that I could see Edmonton trading for but not this year but the next one. A deadline acquisition in the same manner that Mike Green was traded for. Hopefully sans a blown out knee.
10. Nik Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets: “If you’re moving one of either Laine or Ehlers, Ehlers might be the Jets forward most appealing for teams looking to make a big deal with the Jets.”
BLH’s Thoughts: The Jets shouldn’t be looking to move Ehlers at all. He’s been very good for them and it’s not easy to score in the NHL at the rate he does. It’s not like they have a plethora of high-scoring wingers coming up through the pipeline either.
11. Andreas Johnsson, Toronto Maple Leafs: “There are people around the league who believe Johnsson is the player they’d prefer to trade and where talks have centered even if they’d be selling low.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Hmmm. If his trade value has diminished, maybe the Oilers could avoid moving Adam Larsson in a trade for him…
12. Brady Skjei, Carolina Hurricanes: “Carolina acquired Skjei at the deadline and are getting numerous calls from teams looking to see if they’d be willing to spin him again.”
BLH’s Thoughts: This is a good hockey player. I have no idea why he’s getting tossed around like a hot potato. Some murmurs online that the Oilers are interested but Skjei is a lefty and Edmonton already has Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, Caleb Jones, Kris Russell, William Lagesson, Philip Broberg, and Dmitri Samorukov in their system… Unless one of the first two names in that list is traded, I believe Skjei will not be playing with the Oilers any time soon.
13. Darcy Kuemper, Arizona Coyotes: “One source suggested that the asking price on Kuemper is a first-round pick. “And it’s probably worth it if you’re in the hunt,” he said. San Jose and Carolina could be options here.”
BLH’s Thoughts: The Flames are in a good position to acquire him IF they decide they’d rather have him than Cam Talbot… It’s my belief that the Oilers have possibly balked at Arizona’s demands to date and will be focusing their goaltending attention elsewhere. Thomas Greiss and Anton Khudobin remain possibilities.
14. Josh Anderson, Columbus Blue Jackets: “An extension in Columbus remains a possibility. One NHL source described contract talks between Anderson and the Blue Jackets as “fruitful” for the restricted free agent.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Did you hear that his agent is seeking a 7yr deal worth $6M per year?… Good Lord that’s ambitious. He’s not coming to Edmonton if that’s the case. Anderson and Athanasiou share the same agent for what it’s worth.
15. Nikita Zadorov, Colorado Avalanche: “He also sees what’s coming with Colorado’s loaded defense and may end up pushing hard for a trade if he doesn’t anticipate getting the opportunity to play the role he expects.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve always really enjoyed Zadorov. He’s a big, tough, agitating character with a massive shot from the point. I don’t see Edmonton having an interest at this time though.
16. The negotiating rights to Taylor Hall: “Without the interview window, there’s an advantage to be had for teams to try and get a head start and it would make sense for Arizona to try to get an asset back for numerous reasons.”
BLH’s Thoughts: The Oilers were in on him when NJ was trading him, it wouldn’t shock me any if they were going for his rights at all. Edmonton could get him in, sign him to a 1yr deal at an affordable price and then make subsequent moves to get their cap in order.
17. Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche: “Colorado might want to get out front of any future cap issues, although Johnson would have a say because of a modified no-trade clause.”
BLH’s Thoughts: They Avs’d be right daft to move Johnson. They missed him so much in the playoffs vs. Dallas. He’s a great leader on that club and a d-man that cleans up a lot of messes for those youngsters on Colorado’s blue line.
18. Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames: “There are definitely people around the league who see Calgary as a team to watch in the next month for something major.”
BLH’s Thoughts: This guy can’t seem to get a foothold anywhere. Does he have a lot of value right now? Maybe they include him in a Johnny Hockey trade to bring in a top-pairing defenseman.
19. Brandon Carlo, Boston Bruins: “The Bruins are getting calls on him but aren’t actively looking to move him. If he gets traded, it’s part of a major deal that brings a legitimate top-six forward back or a similarly talented (and aged) left-shot defenseman.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Do the Bruins need a legit top-six fwd right now? I mean, so much as to trade one of their best defenders for? I can’t see it. They should probably focus on re-signing Jake DeBrusk…
20. James Reimer, Carolina Hurricanes: “Reimer is an interesting option because his actual salary is just $850,000 next year…”
BLH’s Thoughts: Is that new Arizona Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong’s music I hear?! I smell a Kuemper to Carolina trade brewing…
21. Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues: “If the Blues are going to sign Alex Pietrangelo, they’re going to have to move some salary to make it happen.”
BLH’s Thoughts: There was a time when the Oilers would’ve loved to have a player like Faulk on their team… Not. Any. More… The Blues will have to pay to move him I reckon.
22. Andreas Athanasiou, Edmonton Oilers: “The problem here is that other teams know this (the QO being too much) so they might prefer to see if the Oilers decline to qualify him and pursue him as an unrestricted free agent instead.
BLH’s Thoughts: Yeah, I don’t see anybody chomping at the bit to trade for AA given the season he’s just had… Losing those two 2nd-rounders will hurt though and I am not confident that those will be recouped. The Oilers could however move Kris Russell to Arizona (if he were willing) and then qualify the player though…
