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2 Dark Horse Trade Candidates For The Oilers At The Deadline

By Jesse Courville-Lynch |
Feb 14, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Tyler Benson (16) skates with the puck during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Tyler Benson (16) skates with the puck during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The Oilers have found their groove as the second half of the season is well underway. As we move into the all-star break, here are two potential trade pieces for the team that have not been mentioned as much in rumors surrounding the team.

Mattias Janmark

With four goals and nine assists through 34 games for Mattias Janmark, he adds a nice touch to the bottom six to bolster the depth-scoring issue the team has had over the last few seasons, but he still finds himself struggling to create and finish opportunities, while not being the greatest player in his own end.

With only a one-year contract signed with the Oilers in the off-season, his contract is easily moveable with an AAV of only $1.25M. I can’t see Janmark being an attractive rental piece for many teams, but he could be utilized as a “sweetener” to allow the team to acquire someone they need more.

Janmark can be used in a team’s top six, as we’ve seen with the Oilers a few times this season, and with the Vegas Golden Knights before that. His value won’t be too high, but throwing him in with a draft pick could bring the Oilers a much better improvement on the right side of the blue line, or he could be used in a package to acquire a star like Jakob Chychrun, Patrick Kane, or any of the other players the team has been connected to this season.

Tyler Benson

Tyler Benson, 24, has played quite well with the Bakersfield Condors this season. With one goal and eight assists through 14 games, he brings an offensive touch that teams could use in their depth charts. The Oilers selected Benson in the 2016 Draft at #32 overall, and ever since he has been up and down in the Oilers system.

A guy like Benson, who’s young and can score, could be attractive to any team in the NHL. I can see the team using him as a sweetener, just like I can see them doing with Janmark. He has played really well when he’s given opportunities in the big league, but he still finds himself on the outside looking in on a team with stacked forwards.

Both players are valuable and on cheap contracts. Realistically, a few rebuilding teams could see these two players and ask for them in return for any rental player the Oilers want. While I doubt either player gets moved, should the Oilers make a run at a star rental player that’s had his name tossed around, these two could be on the block.

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