With the March 8 trade deadline approaching quickly, speculation around the league is rampant. With so many rumours and reports it can be difficult to sift through which players might be involved, and to approximate a sense of perceived value on either side. In terms of valuation, it can be misleading to get caught within one’s own perspective, leading to more lopsided proposals than is inherent to this exercise. Fans from either side of a mock trade can squabble over value, but ultimately only the opinions of the GMs involved make a difference. In an attempt to balance this, let’s take a look at some Armchair GM mock trades that fans of opposing teams have suggested involving the Edmonton Oilers.
Washington Capitals
Charlie Lindgren for second-round pick
Although bigger names such as Anthony Mantha, Max Pacioretty, and Joel Edmundson are rumoured to be on the trade block, and are even linked to the Oilers, this trade for goalie Lindgren is something of an unexpected twist. With another season on his contract after this, Lindgren is an affordable backup who has been performing well behind a middling Washington Capitals team this season. Quite frankly, Lindgren has marginally outperformed starter Darcy Kuemper this season in roughly the same amount of games played.
The Capitals do have a number of goalie options who are ready for a larger role, including 28-year-old Hunter Shepard, and an intriguing prospect in 25-year-old Clay Stevenson. Shepard has played a small number of NHL games this season, but Stevenson has a profile that suggests he might be able to take the starting reigns from Kuemper over the next three seasons after this, read the remainder of Kuemper’s deal.
For the Capitals this move would represent part of a bigger picture re-tooling effort, effectively punting themselves out of the playoff race. The team is beginning an infusion of youth that might be able to make the Caps relevant through the final seasons of the Alexander Ovechkin era. This effort is headlined but not limited to Hendrix Lapierre, who has found his way into the NHL lineup, and Ryan Leonard, who might even join the Caps in the coming weeks, after his college season ends.
From the Oilers side this concept is straightforward enough. All three of Calvin Pickard, Jack Campbell, and Olivier Rodrigue might be reasonable options in a pure backup role at this point, depending on one’s thoughts on each. Lindgren seems to be better suited for the role than any of these options. The margin of improvement is slim, so is the cost, but the importance of goaltending is tremendous. This move would still see Stuart Skinner as the Oilers unquestioned starter.
Arizona Coyotes
Troy Stecher, Jason Zucker for 50% for Jack Campbell, Philip Broberg, and first-round pick
In this multi-piece transaction the Oilers are able to achieve a number of pressing needs, both for now and the future. Naturally, this comes at a high price as well. With the Coyotes falling out of playoff contention, the team is expected to sell pending UFAs like Stecher and Zucker.
Stecher has just returned to the lineup after an injury. A defensive right shot defenceman, Stecher would be an upgrade over whatever depth the Oilers have outside their current lineup, if not an outright upgrade on Cody Ceci or Vincent Desharnais outright. No stranger to being dealt at the deadline, Stecher seems to find himself a deadline addition for a contending team each season, yet never seems able to land a contract with those contenders the following season.
Zucker is not the player he once was, but would be an upgrade to the Oilers middle-six forward group, presumably on the second line. Zucker has always relied more on his intensity and physicality more than skill, which might be a dimension that some across Oil Country value. In this context retention is not entirely necessary, but this would allow the Oilers space to make another move at this season’s deadline.
The final addition for the Oilers is offloading Campbell’s salary. While Stecher and Zucker are likely true rentals, the cap space acquired in future seasons is crucial to the Oilers through the remainder of Campbell’s deal.
For the Coyotes the first-round pick is obviously valuable, but already boasting a wealth of draft capital in the coming years taking a swing on a young NHL ready talent like Broberg makes a lot of sense. The Coyotes have had success with former first-round defenceman Jusso Valimaki, as well as former Bakersfield Condor Michael Kesselring. The Coyotes might be one of the rare teams who have a greater need at LD than RD, making Broberg a worthwhile trade target.
Montreal Canadiens
David Savard for second-round pick
This deal seems fairly straightforward for both teams. The Montreal Canadiens are certain to continue selling off veterans for draft capital. A defensive right shot, Savard fits the checklist of many fans across Oil Country. The front office and coaching staff are likely to value Savard’s championship ring as well.
While points and regular season production are hardly Savard’s strengths, his physical style will see his contributions increase during the lawlessness of the NHL playoffs. The Oilers would have to feel that Savard is an improvement on either Ceci or Desharnais to be interested in Savard. Savard’s cap hit is enough that the Oilers would likely need to offload salary elsewhere.
One wrinkle Oiler fans might be interested in is including Ceci in a deal, offloading salary while improving the blueline by adding a player with term. Savard has another season after this left on his deal, but might not be enough of an outright upgrade over Ceci to warrant the extra costs that would be involved. Last season we saw such a deal with the Oilers paying a lot to upgrade Tyson Barrie with Mattias Ekholm.
Rapid Fire
Pending UFA forwards at 50% retained for a first-round pick
By far the most common trade conjured by fans across the league involving the Oilers at this season’s trade deadline, acquiring the Oilers first-round pick for a pending UFA while retaining half the player’s salary. In each case the Oilers might be forced to navigate their salary cap, either using LTIR, or carrying less than a full roster.
Ottawa Senators
Tarasenko is hardly the dynamo he was in his prime, but is still a quality scorer. Tarasenko might be an awkward fit because of his lack of defensive contributions. With little to no power play time available, and the likes of Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane struggling defensively, Tarasenko might not bring enough dimension. This hasn’t stopped Oiler fans from hoping for a player of this ilk. With the Ottawa Senators firmly out of the playoff race, and perhaps even entering an existential crisis after another Josh Norris injury, Tarasenko does seem to be available.
Seattle Kraken
Alex Wennberg or Jordan Eberle
The Seattle Kraken do seem to have a number of names on the market, including some RD who might be worthwhile targets in Adam Larsson and Will Borgen. Despite this Eberle and Wennberg are the names most have linked to the Oilers. Eberle is a fan favourite in Oil Country thanks to his history with the team, and clearly fits the scoring winger archetype that fans seem to covet. Wennberg, on the other hand is thought of as more of a two way centre, contributing on the penalty kill. Positional flexibility is key, and Wennberg might be able to free up Ryan McLeod to play higher in the lineup, on Draisaitl’s wing where McLeod has had success in brief stints.
St. Louis Blues
Buchnevich is likely the best of this group, but also rumoured to be much more expensive. Most mock trades from Blues fans involve an additional mid-round pick and a prospect on top of the first. Buchnevich can score, drive play, and can even contribute on the penalty kill. As a pending UFA that the Oilers have little chance of re-signing beyond this season, this seems far too big a price.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
I know Brady Tkachuk was rumoured to be available and they since denied it. It would certainly be worth a phone call to check. Would a package of Foegele, Broberg, and two firsts be too much? Would it be enough to get their GM to pull the trigger?
1. Tkackuk is going to go for way more than that. 2. He is going to want to go to a US team. That is just stating the obvious. 3. Tkachuk is going to be signing likely a 10M a year deal when he does. No chance he will be an Oiler. Keep dreaming.