One player, the team could trade for…
Colton Pankiw: I’ll say Joonas Korpisalo. This all depends on how Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen perform, but with Elvis Merzlikins signing an extension this offseason, Korpisalo is expendable in Columbus. With him being a pending UFA, he won’t cost a ton and gives the Oilers more depth in a position that has a ton of question marks right now.
Phil Gretzky: Anton Khudobin Between the pipes is the one area that could use an upgrade. Rumor has it Khudobin will be available after Dallas’s training camp.
Devon Hladunewich: Mark Giordano
Not as much as a will, but more of a should trade for. I think that the Seattle Kraken will be out playoff contention when the trade deadline comes around and will be looking to load up on assets. Being on his last year of his contract trading away Giordano would be a solid way to bring in some assets.
From an Oilers’ viewpoint, if you take out the fact that he played for your rival team for many years and that he broke McDavid for an offseason, he is a good acquisition. He would add toughness and solid defensive play. Also looking at the past teams to go on deep runs they always have solid defense.
Nick Lariviere: One player the team will trade for… Josh Manson, with the Ducks likely in an another rebuilding season, they could be unloading talent at the deadline and the Oilers could use some help on defense.
Sean Mallon: Edmonton can’t hope for a Cup run if they go into the postseason with the same goaltending tandem. The Oilers will find a way to pick up a goalie at the deadline, likely named Elvis Merzlikins
Jimmy Lynch: I have to go with Malcolm Subban of the Chicago Blackhawks. If the Oilers need help in net midway through the season, Subban is a guy the team could trade for.
So that is the end on our predictions for the season. Let’s check back in at the end of the year to see how this all goes!