By the time the trade deadline rolls around on March 21, hopefully the Edmonton Oilers will be looking to improve their team. They will be looking to add several pieces to address some areas that need help. This includes goaltending, depth defense and depth forwards. In order to bring in some help the Edmonton Oilers are going to have to trade players on their roster to get them within the cap. Depending on what you are bringing in depends on what has to go out.
The players being traded away will need one of two qualities. They either need to have skill to bring back something with skill or they need to have a higher cap hit in order to fit under the cap. It may even end up being a combo of these in conjunction with draft picks require to make a trade work. Lots of players fit these criteria, but I have put a together a list of the 3 I think are the most likely to get traded.
Do The Edmonton Oilers Actually Need To Make A Trade?
The quick and easy answer is yes. There is not a team in the NHL that doesn’t want to improve their team. It will all come down to assets you have to trade away and how much you are willing to pay for the assets in return. Example, the Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a goalie, they can either go for the best goalie available give away a first round pick, a prospect and a roster player. They could also go and get an average goalie for just the player and a prospect. It is up to Ken Holland to weigh the risk of amount spent vs return.
When it comes to which players to give away the other teams are going to be doing the same thing. Weighing various things. Most teams selling aren’t looking for a potential UFA, they want a player under control. Whether that’s a younger RFA or a player that has multiply years left on a contract. That is why out of my 3 players, 2 of 3 are under control for a few years after this current season.