The trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Oilers have yet to make a trade involving Jesse Puljujarvi, who has been in the rumor mill for months now. Recently, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff tossed out the idea of the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers making a swap. The trade he suggested is listed below:
A one-for-one deal swapping two players that need fresh starts with new teams. The Oilers finally trade Jesse Puljujarvi and bring in Anthony Duclair. Puljujarvi is in the last year of his contract, which holds a $3M cap hit. Duclair also has a $3M cap hit, but his contract ends at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Duclair is 27, making him three years older than Puljujarvi. He has yet to play a game this season but is coming off of a 31-goal, 27-assist year with the Panthers through 74 games. The physical side he brings is just a bonus considering the offensive output he can help bring to the Oilers’ bottom six.
With the ability to play on the wing or down the middle, this is a trade I really like. The Panthers need to clear up some cap space and have been unable to work Duclair into their lineup this season, making him the odd man out. A skilled player like Duclair has no right to be sitting on the bench for this long, and although he has battled injuries in the past, he still looks to be the 13th forward when he is 100% healthy and ready to play.
If the Oilers can make this trade happen, I am all over it. The team can run an incredible 11/7 setup for the rest of the season, with a player in Duclair that can put the puck in the net when he’s given a golden opportunity and can play sound in the defensive end.