Can this trade work?
Both Klefbom and Ristolainen are signed for the foreseeable future at reasonable cap hits. The Finn makes a shade under $5.5M per year, and Klefbom is making just over $4M a year.
IF the Oilers did make a deal with the Sabres to acquire the big Finn, they’d be sacrificing defense for offense in my opinion, BUT I do feel like that Oilers have the requisite depth on the left side of their defense to make a trade like this. Trading out of a position of “strength” to fill a hole on the right side.
And listen, this isn’t Chiarelli dealing Hall for Larsson here. They’d be swapping defencemen.
If it were me making the deal, I wouldn’t be trading that first rounder though. I’d find a way around that. Make it a second round pick or a prospect, but I think it’s imperative that the Oilers hold on to that first round pick. For most Oilers fans, I believe that the draft pick would be the hold up as well.
What do you think? Have I missed anything? If the Oilers could trade for Rasmus Ristolainen and only give up Oscar Klefbom plus a later draft pick or prospect, would you go for it? And Sabres fans, what would you need to part with your big Finnish defender?
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