We are nearing the end of the NHL Trade Deadline Week and we still do not know what the Edmonton Oilers ultimate end goal is. All we really know is that they have tires in so many fires that it is hard to judge and pinpoint who and what their #1 target is. Is it a top-six forward or is it a top-four defenceman? Maybe it is just a bottom six add with a depth defenceman? Regardless, there are lots of rumours flying around. Some will disappoint Oiler fans and some will excite them
Vladimir Tarasenko sweepstakes
Oiler fans know about the interest Edmonton has in Vladimir Tarasenko. He can play both wings, but prefers the right wing, and he’s a shooter who plays the game like a bull. He would be a perfect fit beside Leon Draisaitl because he is a pure sniper but he can bring a physical, power forward element to his game. Most importantly, he’s a Stanley Cup Champion and that is quality that is vital for Edmonton. The last time Edmonton had a Stanley Cup Winner in their lineup (Duncan Keith), they had made it to the Western Conference Final.
So it is sounding like Edmonton has indeed kicked tires on Tarasenko and they are one of the contending teams that are in on him. The cost for him is also not as high as the other forwards. It is only a second-round pick and a prospect. The Oilers would be able to pull this off and still keep their first round pick for a different trade.
What is most important here is that Tarasenko has the choice to pick where he wants to go. This is going to bring Ottawa’s leverage down and Tarasenko’s value. Oilers may have the upper hand here if he decides to go for them.
Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick
Based on what Bob Stauffer reiterated on Oilers Now this evening, it sounds like Adam Henrique and fourth line centre Sam Carrick are also on their radar. Henrique has been in their sights for more than a month and he is one of the players in their final discussions. Sam Carrick is also in their plans as gaining more depth and physicality in their bottom six is a must.
Anthony Mantha and Nic Dowd
This is one of the more intriguing rumours with Edmonton. Bob Stauffer and Frank Seravalli have stated that Edmonton is very interested in Anthony Mantha and Nic Dowd. It is more intriguing because of these players are young and they are also second line and third line players. From Stauffer’s opinion on Oilers Now, he said that Mantha’s cost would be a round a second-round pick and Dowd perhaps a bit more. Edmonton may be able to get both players at a smart price and they would, again, have enough to to gain a depth defenceman or a top-four defenceman.
What will Edmonton do now?
These rumours have brought up some questions because it sounds like Edmonton may be trying to upgrade more than one position through one trade. Stauffer finished off his segment on Oilers Now by stating that the Oilers are most likely looking for a second line winger who doesn’t need to be right handed, a third line centre if possible, a fourth line centre and a defenceman (top four if they can gain one with term or a depth defenceman).
It was also stated by Stauffer that the price for Pavel Buchnevich is perhaps too high for the Oilers, but as we have seen before, it is not impossible because the prices sometimes drop as the trade deadline nears. We will see what happens on this front.
From what I have discussed above, this also brings up the biggest question of all: What is the Oilers #1 target and is it at forward or defence?
- We have had no hard evidence on which #1 forward they are looking for and which #1 defensive target they are looking at. All we know for certain is that they are not going to look for a goaltender.
- Ken Holland is keeping his cards close to the chest. Will we see a huge trade like the Mattias Ekholm trade from last year or will we see an assortment of trades that will give the Oilers top six depth, bottom six depth and depth on defence?
- Something else to keep an eye on is Jordan Eberle. Bob Stauffer stated that the Oilers do still have interest in Eberle, but he may re-sign with Seattle. If he does not sign, there may be some interest from Edmonton so a reunion “may” occur. This is something to keep in mind
We are less than three days away now!
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
I do like Eberle, he can skate and put the puck in the net. Biggest problem with Eberle is, he does not do well in heavy rough going. He becomes silent, like when he was with the Oilers and against Anaheim in the playoffs, they played him tough and he died. Maybe he is more capable under those circumstances now, but haven’t seen it.
Whatever Holland does (if he feels he really needs to do anything) he absolutely can’t screw up the vibe that the team has going this year. Right now everyone is on the same page, working as a unit, confident and cohesive. Sure, he hit a major home run last year with Ekholm but he also had some clunkers with Athanasiou and Green previously. Also, he (and his boss Jet Jackson) do have to weigh the long term loss of possibly 2 of their future core players, Holloway and Broberg, for a possible short term, and iffy improvement. He’s already had his screw-up for this year, with the Brown signing, which not only hurt this year, but will hurt even worse next year (when Brown won’t even be an Oiler but his “bonus” will weigh heavily on the cap).