Adam Henrique or Sam Carrick; Henrique AND Carrick?
We can clearly see, from how the Edmonton Oilers bottom six has been shaped up, they are in dire need of help. Both Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick provide quite a bit of help in the bottom six. But are they in the market for one of them or both of them? According to Elliotte Friedman on this Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada, it sounds like the Oilers are looking quite closely at Henrique and Carrick, but it is unknown on whether they want both of them or just one of them.
In my opinion, it sounds like Edmonton may make their decision based on how another trade shapes out. For example, Edmonton may only acquire Carrick if they are able to gain a top-six winger or third line centre from a different team. But if they are unable to acquire a third line centre or top six forward from a different team, they may go for both Carrick and Henrique. I feel like that Edmonton should be going for Henrique because he gives them what they need all over the bottom six and then some.
Based on how this team has been made and how the Oilers play the trade deadline at times, it always seems like they make the safe move instead of the risky move (other than the Mattias Ekholm trade last year). I believe that, since this year is shaping up to be very important in the franchise, it is time for Ken Holland and the rest of management to take some chances. Trade for Henrique and acquire a top-six forward from a different team. Take some chances and make a move going money in and money out.
Goaltending trouble
Well, ever since the All-Star break, Edmonton has gone 4–5–1 and had a three-game losing streak. The penalty killing, defensive structure, and the goaltending have started to fall off astronomically and it is leading to these games with high scoring results and disappointing losses. The last game against the Calgary Flames was almost as bad as the Carolina Hurricanes loss earlier in the year, and it was easy to see the frustration in their superstars faces (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl).
On HNIC, Elliotte Friedman sounded very unsure about what the Oilers move will be. He said they seem confused or not sure about what part of their roster they will make their most essential in terms of retooling. Four weeks ago, he seemed 100% sure it would be their top six with Jake Guentzel. However, now it sounds like it is their defence and perhaps even their goaltending. We will see where they go but it is very apparent on where their team needs fixes: goaltending and defence.
Unfortunately, it does not seem like there are very many goaltenders available. However, according to Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne on Sportsnet on Sunday morning, it sounded like the Boston Bruins would be willing to part with consistent goaltender Linus Ullmark for the right price. I think that is where they should aim if the need a goaltender. It is an Eastern Conference team so perhaps the value will be less for Ullmark since it is not a rival team.
Tidbits
- According to Frank Seravalli on Oilers Now, with Bob Stauffer, Seravalli reported that the Edmonton Oilers are turning over every stone to see what is available out there. They have been very busy in determining where their main needs are and which players are available.
- Edmonton has been keeping tabs on Flames defender Chris Tanev.
- The Oilers are trying to get very creative and are seeing if they can fill multiple holes in one trade or two.
- According to Jim Matheson, the Oilers have been keeping an eye on St. Louis Blues star forward Pavel Buchnevich.
- Last week, Edmonton was scouting the Nashville Predators very heavily.
- Edmonton also scouted San Jose, Columbus, and Calgary
- It sounds like the main competitors for Chris Tanev are the Oilers, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Vancouver Canucks. From the sounds of it, not very many have the assets needed to acquire the defenceman except Edmonton. But Calgary does not want to move the player to Edmonton unless its overpay.
- Vancouver does not want Edmonton to get Tanev since they are a division rival
- With Mark Stone on LTIR, the Vegas Golden Knights have lots of room to play and they are one of the top teams on the hunt for star forward Guentzel. It is sounding like the top teams in on the winger of Pittsburgh are the Golden Knights and the Oilers.
- The Flames are ready to trade Noah Hanifin but from what reporters have said about Hanifin’s preferences, he may only want to get traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
We are getting down to the wire now and it is getting exciting! But for the Oilers, it sounds like they have unplugged too many holes and are in need of a huge move from Holland to fix them.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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