Three Edmonton Oilers That Won’t Be Back Next Season

Tyson Barrie

The Edmonton Oilers are going to need to clear up cap space in order to resign their RFA’s and bring in a replacement for Koskinen. I believe that Barrie will be the player on the outs and will be traded this off season.

Why trade Barrie?

Barrie will be on the top of the Edmonton Oilers trade list. The fact that he has a decent cap hit coupled with the fact that he is still a serviceable player that many teams would like to get their hands on.

Tyson Barrie was the quarterback to one the league’s best power-plays. Yes, the Oilers also have McDavid and Draisaitl, but they need a player to help them in moving the puck around. Right now Barrie is the Edmonton Oilers go to player for that.

The Edmonton Oilers do have an in house replacement for the power-play quarterback in Evan Bouchard. Bouchard has really come into his own this season. He was relied on heavily in not only an offensive roll, but a defensive one as well.

The fact that Bouchard has been able to grow so much this season makes it so that Barrie’s main upside is no longer required. Barrie is an excellent offensive defenseman and most team would like a guy like him on their team.

In a trade the Edmonton Oilers main goal with trading away Barrie would likely be getting a younger player on a cheaper contract. Cap space is the main gain on the return. If the Oilers can bring back a player that can help them as well as gain cap space that would be the ultimate win.