3 Early Potential Trade Deadline Acquisitions For The Edmonton Oilers

Oct 20, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates after scoring during the third period goal against Carolina Hurricanes the at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrates after scoring during the third period goal against Carolina Hurricanes the at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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I know the 2023-2024 season hasn’t even started yet and that trying to see where the Edmonton Oilers needs in 7 months will be, but a good player is a good player. Here is a list of 3 players that I think the Edmonton Oilers may be in the market for at this coming trade deadline.

For this list, I am specifically looking at rental players. These are players who will be UFAs at the end of this season. I am also only going to pick from teams that I think will not be playoff teams. This will make the players actually available to be moved.

With these two “rules” in place it makes the acquisition of these players actually slightly possible. For example, William Nylander of the Leafs is going to be a UFA, but the Leafs will likely be a playoff team and will want to keep their skilled forward.

The same goes for RFAs, The Arizona Coyotes are likely to not be a playoff team. Sean Durzi’s contract expires after this season, but being an RFA the Coyotes still own his rights and trading a young player will not help their team out, whereas trading Zucker for picks or prospects could help them out down the road.

There are still a lot of players that fit the mould that I have set up here. Lots of them the Edmonton Oilers have no need for, but there are at least 3 that I think the Oilers should really consider taking a look at. I know I can’t predict injuries or other unseen things. I am going to assume most of the team is having their expected seasons points-wise.

So, here goes nothing I am going to start the list off with a player that I thought perhaps the Edmonton Oilers would have taken a look at during this offseason.

Jan 4, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) reacts against the Dallas Stars in the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) reacts against the Dallas Stars in the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Adam Henrique

The first player that I think would be a great addition to the team is Adam Henrique from the Anaheim Ducks.

Henrique is a seasoned center who has played in the NHL for over a decade. He has proven himself to be a reliable and consistent player, with a career average of 0.58 points per game. He also has a strong playoff record, having helped the New Jersey Devils reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012.

The Oilers could benefit greatly from Henrique’s experience and skill set. Not only would he provide depth to the team’s center position, but he would also bring a proven winning mentality to the locker room. His leadership and work ethic would be invaluable to the team’s younger players, who could learn a lot from his example.

In terms of trade value, Henrique would likely come at a reasonable cost. While he has a cap hit of $5.825 million, he will be a UFA after this coming season. This means that the Oilers could acquire him without committing to a long-term financial burden, but if he fits in he could re-sign and help the team moving forward.

Of course, there are always risks involved in making a trade. Henrique is 33 years old, and there is always the possibility that his performance could decline in the coming years. However, I believe that his track record and character make him a low-risk option for the Oilers.

Overall, I think that trading for Adam Henrique would be a smart move for the Edmonton Oilers. He would bring experience, leadership, and depth to the team’s center position, and his playoff pedigree would be a valuable asset in the postseason. With the right pieces in place, the Oilers could be a serious contender for the Stanley Cup in the coming years.

Mar 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Zucker

I believe that the Edmonton Oilers could greatly benefit from trading for Jason Zucker. The newly signed Arizona Coyote forward has proven himself to be a valuable asset on the ice, with his speed, skill, and scoring ability making him a top contender in the league.

One of the main reasons why I think the Oilers should pursue Zucker is because of his impressive offensive capabilities. In the 2018-2019 season, he scored 21 goals and 21 assists, making him the third-highest scorer on the Wild’s roster that season. This kind of production would be a welcome addition to the Oilers’ lineup, which has been struggling to find consistent scoring outside of their main stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Furthermore, Zucker’s speed and agility would be a perfect fit for the Oilers’ style of play. Edmonton is known for its fast-paced, high-energy game, and Zucker’s ability to move quickly up and down the ice would help them maintain their tempo. He’s also a great two-way player, with a strong defensive presence that would be invaluable to the Oilers’ penalty kill.

But perhaps the most compelling reason for the Oilers to trade for Zucker is his contract situation. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, which means that the Coyotes may be looking to move him before he walks away for nothing. The Oilers could potentially acquire him for a relatively low cost, especially if they’re willing to take on some of his salary.

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Of course, there are always risks involved in making a trade, and Zucker is no exception. He’s had some injury issues in the past, and his performance can be somewhat inconsistent at times. However, I believe that the potential rewards of acquiring him far outweigh the risks.

I think that the Edmonton Oilers should seriously consider trading for Jason Zucker. His offensive prowess, speed, and two-way play would be a great fit for the team, and his contract situation makes him an attractive target. By adding him to their roster, the Oilers could greatly improve their chances of success in the upcoming season and beyond.

Should the Edmonton Oilers trade for Tyler Myers? Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Should the Edmonton Oilers trade for Tyler Myers? Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Myers

The Edmonton Oilers could use a solid defenseman like Tyler Myers. First and foremost, Myers has proven himself to be a reliable and consistent defenseman over the years. He’s currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks, but he has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets. Throughout his career, he’s consistently averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game and has shown a knack for shutting down opposing offences. His size and strength also make him a valuable asset in front of the net, where he can clear out opposing players and prevent them from getting scoring opportunities.

Another reason why the Oilers should consider trading for Myers is his offensive prowess. While he’s primarily known for his defensive abilities, he’s also capable of contributing on the offensive end of the ice. In fact, he set a career-high in points during the 2017-2018 season with the Jets, scoring 36 points in 82 games. His ability to move the puck up the ice and create scoring opportunities for his teammates would be a welcome addition to the Oilers’ lineup.

Of course, any potential trade would come with its own set of challenges. Myers contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but his contract carries a cap hit of $6 million per year. This could make it difficult for the Oilers to fit him into their salary cap. However, if the Oilers can make the numbers work, they would be getting a reliable and versatile defenseman who could help them make a playoff run.

The Edmonton Oilers should strongly consider trading for Tyler Myers. He’s a proven defenseman with a solid track record of success, and his offensive abilities would make him a valuable addition to the Oilers’ lineup. While there may be some challenges to making the trade happen, the potential benefits make it a risk worth taking.

The Edmonton Oilers Need To Improve

No matter how the season goes for the Edmonton Oilers I think no matter what they do they are going to need to make a trade at the deadline. They still have a few holes that need to be filled if they want to win the Stanley Cup.

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