2. Zack Kassian
Zack Kassian is in a similar scenario as Mikko Koskinen. He gets paid too much for where his is in the lineup. The addition of Evander Kane also didn’t help the need for Kassian on this team. Kassian is a high energy sandpaper type of guy. If there is a scrum on the ice while Kassian is out there, you can bet he is a part of it. Unfortunately for Zack that is really all he has added to the team this year.
So far this season Zack has contributed points wise at a fairly decent rate, considering his most common line mates are Warren Foegele and Ryan McLeod. This is why I think another team would be interested in adding a player like Kassian. From the Edmonton Oilers perspective if a team is will to trade you something for Kassian and his contract you do it.
Zack Kassian has another 2 years left on his contract with an AAV of $3.2 million. That is a good amount of money for the Edmonton Oilers to open up from their books. Right now Kassian is slotted on the Oilers third line. This is a spot that can be easily filled by a player already on the Edmonton Oilers roster.
I think Kassian is beloved guy in the locker room, but being a good guy in the locker room doesn’t help a team win as much as good play on the ice. There is greater chance that Zach Kassian stays over getting traded. I just think if the Oilers want to improve something he is looked at more of a cap hit rather than the player on the ice. This is why I think he may be traded.