RW Vladimir Tarasenko
Another name that has been floated around in trade rumors with the Oilers is St. Louis Blues right winger Vladimir Tarasenko. The idea of adding either Patrick Kane or Tarasenko alongside superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is mouthwatering to say the least. It will feel like cloud nine to most of us knowing that the two Oiler forwards have an elite finisher to pass to.
Losing Evander Kane is a tough blow and try as they may, Jesse Puljujarvi and Kyler Yamamoto are not the answer the Oilers are looking for alongside McD and Leon. However, there is this word that we are so familiar in hearing, salary cap, and this is the hurdle the Oilers will always face in trying to acquire big names like Tarasenko.
Tarasenko is currently owed $7.5 million through 2023, and that is not all, he holds a no-trade-clause on his deal. Not only the Edmonton Oilers have to make room for Tarasenko’s salary, they also have to convince him to move to Edmonton. The latter might not be that hard to do compared to previous years as some players are willing to sign here, with the latest being Zach Hyman and Jack Campbell, but we still cannot undermine this barricade when trying to land a high end player like Tarasenko.