Edmonton Oilers: Potential Acquisitions – Atlantic Division
So far I have gone through the Pacific Division and the Central Division teams looking for players that would be a good fit for the Edmonton Oilers. Today I am going through the Atlantic Division to see who could make a difference on the Oilers.
Boston Bruins
Jake DeBrusk (Current Cap Hit $3,675,000, 41GP-5G-9A) Trade
Edmonton-born DeBrusk had a rough season under new head coach Bruce Cassidy, finding himself being a health scratch a couple of times throughout the season. Jake a one-time 27 goal scorer only managed to score 5 last season.
If the Bruins are going to continue healthy scratching in the future it would do them better to trade him away. As a team that needs some scoring on the left side I think DeBrusk would be a nice fit on this Edmonton Oilers team.
Taylor Hall (Current Cap Hit $8,000,000, 53GP-10G-23A) UFA
Originally taken first overall in the draft by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010 maybe Hall would like to have a reunion with the team that drafted him. Taylor Hall is another scoring option on the left-wing, he scored 8 goals in the 16 regular-season games he played after getting traded to the Bruins. I don’t know if the Oilers are going to pony up the money and term to bring Hall in.
Buffalo Sabres
Sam Reinhart (Current Cap Hit $5,200,000, 54GP-25G-15A) Trade
With the debacle going on in Buffalo and all the stars wanting out know is the time to the Oilers to see what they can get out of it. I believe the best option for the Edmonton Oilers to try and trade for is Reinhart. Scoring 22 or more goals in the last four seasons, including 25 in the COVID shortened season. I think he would have no problem breaking the 30 goal mark if he was to play with McDavid or Draisaitl.
Drake Caggiula (Current Cap Hit $700,00, 38GP-3G-7A) UFA
Ex-Oiler Drake Caggiula would be a good fit in the bottom six for the Oilers. He isn’t a defensive liability and he does have the ability to get you a goal here and there. He could also be put to good use on the penalty kill.
Detroit Red Wings
Luke Glendening (Current Cap Hit $1,800,000, 54GP-6G-9A) UFA
At the trade deadline last season there was lots of talk around the Oilers trading for Glendening. Just like he would have added forward depth then, he can add depth now. A right-handed center with a faceoff percentage of 60.9% last season, he would be a welcome fit in the bottom six.
Marc Staal (Current Cap Hit $5,700,000, 54GP-3G-7P) UFA
Even though this isn’t the Marc Staal from his Rangers days, he is still a reliable shutdown defenseman. He would bring added experience and a calming influence to the Oilers’ back end which would be helpful in the playoffs.
Florida Panthers
Chris Driedger (Current Cap Hit $850,000, 23GP-14W-0.927SV%) UFA
After splitting action with Bobrovsky last season Driedger came out with the potential to become a starting goalie in a different. His 0.927 save percentage would be an excellent addition to the Oilers’ goaltending rotation.
Alexander Wennberg (Current Cap Hit $2,250,000, 56GP-17G-12A) UFA
Playing third-line center for the Panthers Wennberg is another option for the Oilers to add skill to their bottom six. With his offensive numbers, he would be an upgrade on a Gaetan Haas or Jujhar Khaira, although he would cost you more on the cap side of things.
Montreal Canadiens
Tomas Tatar (Current Cap Hit $5,300,000, 50GP-10G-20A) UFA
Being a healthy scratch in the playoffs right now leads me to believe Tatar will be a cheap acquisition. He had been a perennial 20 goal scorer the past 6 seasons before this one. He might be looking for a one-year show-me deal just like Tyson Barrie did.
Phillip Danault (Current Cap Hit $3,083,333, 53GP-5G-19A) UFA
I think Danault would be an excellent player for the Oilers he would be an excellent third-line center that could move up to be a second-line center when they want to play McDavid and Draisaitl together on the top line. I just find it hard to think that Montreal is going to let their top shut down forward walk away.
Ottawa Senators
Derek Stephan (Current Cap Hit $6,500,000, 20GP-1G-5A) UFA
After this injury-shortened season, I think Stephan is going to want to go to a team where he knows he will make the playoffs. If he wanted to look at the Oilers for a potential destination he is someone I wouldn’t turn away. A right-handed center with a 50% faceoff rate last season is a player the Edmonton Oilers could really use. Plus he also has 15 goal potential.
Ryan Dzingel (Current Cap Hit $3,375,000, 40GP-8G-5A) UFA
After being a hot commodity in the 2018-19 trade deadline Dzingel hasn’t been able to find his stride. If the Oilers can get him for a good price, I think he would be able to find a role in the bottom-six with the ability to play a top-six role. He has shown the skill to play top six in the past, I just don’t know if it is still there. It would be a good gamble to take to see if he could bring it back.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Blake Coleman (Current Cap Hit $1,800,000, 55GP-14G-17A) UFA
A solid well-rounded player, Coleman is the type of player you want to be in your third line. He brings toughness, speed, and the ability to score goals. He is going to be getting a pay raise from his current $1.8 million. How much of a raise is the only thing that would stop me from making a push for him if I was the Edmonton Oilers
Barclay Goodrow (Current Cap Hit $925,000, 55GP-6G-14A) UFA
Another gritty bottom-six forward. Goodrow is a player who has a heavy presence on the ice when he is out there. He would be a good addition to the bottom six of the Oilers. He has the ability to extend offensive zone time by forechecking hard and working a good cycle.
Zach Hyman (Current Cap Hit $2,250,000, 43GP-15G-18A) UFA
With the Toronto Maple Leafs in a bit of a cap crunch, I don’t think they will be able to pay Hyman the money he is going to get. The Oilers on the other hand do have the money to pay him. He is a fast skating, skilled forward who is used to playing with high skilled players. He could be a potential player to put with Connor McDavid on the first line.
Alex Galchenyuk(Current Cap Hit $3,225,000, 34GP-5G-8A) UFA
After starting his career with Montreal, Galchenyuk has been kind of a suitcase, not being able to stay in one team for a whole season. Be that as it may, I still think he would be a nice fit with the Oilers. Put him on the third line to start the season, if he starts to have success you can move him up in your lineup. He did score 30 goals once upon a time.
This division has a little bit of everything that the Oilers should be interested in. From high-skilled scorers that could get you 30 goals to goalies that become a solid number one for years to come. There is also potential for a few busts if some gambles don’t pay off, but that’s what makes the offseason so exciting.