The Chicago Blackhawks Are A Prefect Trade Partner For The Oilers
There is no doubt that the Edmonton Oilers need a boost in order to try and turn this season around. They have already fired the coach, which didn’t help this team get any better. Now it appears that a trade may be on the horizon.
That being said every NHL team can see the struggling Oilers coming and will raise the price up on anything that may help the Edmonton Oilers. In order to make a trade work the Oilers will need to help the team they are trading with.
A team that I think is a perfect trade partner for the Oilers is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks are at the start of the rebuild, so they aren’t planning to be super competitive for a few years and will be looking for younger players and draft picks.
With the fact the Blackhawks aren’t likely going to be competitive for a few years, they would be able to take in some extra cap if it comes with a draft pick. This is also something the Oilers need. With the cap scenario the Oilers are in they could you some help by dumping some salaries. Jack Campbell is the prime candidate for that.
The Blackhawks only have a handful of skaters that will be returning to that team next season. This is another positive reason why the Oilers would make a trade with this team, as most players would be a rental.
What do the Oilers Actually Need?
- Goaltending
- This is the biggest and most obvious change that would be looked at. There is no strong player in that position right now. A change here would make the biggest change.
- Lockerroom Veteran
- There needs to be a player in this organization that would be able to speak up and call a player that makes an error. Also when this team goes off the rails, a calming presence is needed sometimes.
- A Tough Shutdown Defenseman
- Ever since the Oilers lost Adam Larsson they have been looking to replace him. Ekholm was a good effort, but they need that on the right side to push Bouchard down the lineup.
Petr Mrazek
Area one that needs an upgrade is between the pipes. I think that there is no doubt that Mrazek would be an upgrade on any of the three goalies who have played for the Oilers this season. There is no goalie above 0.900 SV% on this team so the 0.904 SV% of Mrazek would be greatly appreciated.
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T/O | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Mrázek | 11 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 32 | 335 | 303 | .904 | 3.24 | 0 |
Provided by Hockey-Reference.com
The win/loss record for Mrazek isn’t the best, but he is playing behind a team that may even be worse defensively than the Edmonton Oilers, but somehow his save percentage is better than any Oilers goalie.
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T/O | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Skinner | 13 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 43 | 319 | 276 | .865 | 3.66 | 0 |
| Jack Campbell | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 157 | 137 | .873 | 4.50 | 0 |
| Calvin Pickard | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 46 | 41 | .891 | 2.94 | 0 |
| Team Total | 18 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 68 | 522 | 454 | .870 | 3.80 | 0 |
Provided by Hockey-Reference.com
Just take a look at these goalie numbers. There is really no wonder that the Oilers are where they are in the standings with those types of numbers. in my opinion, any increase in goal could only boost the way this team could perform.
They have already tried out their third-string goalie, which to no surprise has not helped at all. Bringing in Mrazek would be a good move. As it could have an instant boost for the team.
Tyler Johnson
Tyler Johnson is no stranger to being on a team that has had high hopes only to miss the playoffs or have early playoff failures. With his time on the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his time there the Lightning were perennial favourites.
During his time there he did win 2 Stanley Cups, but those came after several failed attempts. I think bringing in a player like this could help motivate the current roster and help them emotionally when the team is down.
Having someone there who knows how to go all the way would be a great move. His cap hit is a bit high but if you sent Campbell back the other way it would be a wash. Plus Johnson’s contract is up at the end of the year.
Want your voice heard? Join the Oil On Whyte team!
Corey Perry
Even though Perry is currently being held out of the lineup for an unknown reason, if his issue isn’t anything too major he is a guy that I would bring in. Corey Perry also has a ton of playoff experience. Not only that he has done it with several different teams.
I am not saying he will save this season for the Oilers, but I think bringing him in would help to get some of these players to play a smarter, more hardnosed game, which is something that this team needs to start doing.
Perry also has a pretty high cap hit, but just like with Johnson, the Oilers would need to send Campbell back the other way. It would also help this team out next season as Perry’s contract wraps up at the end of the season.
Although both of these players are in the bottom half of their careers they still will bring something to this struggling Edmonton Oilers team. I think the issues aren’t just on the ice and bringing in a veteran could help this team out immensely.
Connor Murphy
Another NHL veteran that would add stability to this team. Not only would he move Bouchard down the line up it would also make it so the Oilers don’t have to play Broberg and Desharnais every game.
Now Murphy isn’t the best player offensively, but that wouldn’t be his role. If Murphy joined the Oilers he would be on the second pairing and would likely play on the penalty kill. This would leave Bouchard to have softer defensive responsibilities, but still be able to play on the powerplay.
Murphy does have a couple more years left on his contract though as it doesn’t expire till 2026. So the Oilers would be on the hook for him till then. If he fits in well then that wouldn’t be an issue at all.
Nikita Zaitsev
Zaitsev is a slight upgrade on what Murphy would bring. He is a bit older than Murphy, but that wouldn’t matter as his contract is expiring at the end of this season. Zaitsev is a better defender than Zaitsev and it shows in his plus/minus.
On this not-good Chicago team, Zaitsev is a +4. However it must be noted that he has only played in 6 games so far this season, but the fact that he is positive is something to look at. On this current Oilers, only one player is in the positives and that is Cody Ceci at +2.
It is a real toss-up between the goaltending and the defense as to which area needs improvement more, but if it was up to me I would take a look at upgrading both of them if the Oilers could do it.
Next. There Still Is Hope For The Edmonton Oilers. dark
The Edmonton Oilers Cost Will Be High
For any real trade to be made by the Edmonton Oilers it is likely that Jack Campbell and his $5 million go the other way. In order for a team to eat that cap the cost will be high. Don’t be surprised if you see one or two, 1st round picks getting moved in a deal.
That being said if a move improves this team and can turn the season around then you have to make the deal. This team needs to win and win a lot on the way to the end of this season.