NHL DRAFT: Oilers Trades Outside Top 3
By Dave Mallett
Mar 16, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward
(4) and the Carolina Hurricanes defensemen
(27) go after the puck during the 3rd period at PNC Arena. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
7. CAROLINA HURRICANES
At only $18 million in cap space–decent, but tighter than other teams in the top 5—Carolina is a team that is ready to make some moves. The Oilers stand to gain a very good player in the number three spot, so they would want a solid return from the ‘Canes.
CAROLINA—Jordan Staal, 7th Round Pick
EDMONTON—3rd Overall, Sam Gagner ($2.4 million in salary held back by Edmonton)
WILL IT HAPPEN? Edmonton will try. Even though the Hurricanes went to great lengths to acquire Staal and reunite him with his brother, bloodlines are not enough to keep them together. Staal regressed this year, and found difficulty finding chemistry with Alexander Semin, Jeff Skinner and the like. Edmonton desperately needs a franchise center to support Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and he would fit the bill. Carolina gets Gagner for only $2.4 million at three years, plus one of the top three picks. Edmonton adds $6 million in cap hit acquiring Staal, but with over $30 million in space under a rising cap, the move would be doable. The downside? That ten year contract he has. This is the type of bold move MacT would like to make, but they would need to see Bennett and Ekblad off the board first before they consider any crazy trades like this one.