3 Edmonton Oilers to move and 5 players to trade for

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, there was no question that the Edmonton Oilers were contenders to win the Stanley Cup. However, the start of the campaign saw the team take a step back, with issues surrounding their defensive game, maturity and more, resulting in the consequences of dealing with a critical fan base and media.

The losing resulted in a coaching change that has seen the Oilers go 24-3-0 in their past 27 games. The team has had quite the roller coaster so far this season, but have come through it and are now even stronger and united as a team. This is where the question comes, of if you mess with the chemistry they currently have and look to the trade market to attempt to make some upgrades?

To answer this question, there are three Edmonton Oilers to consider trading in this scenario, in order to add players in return who would complement and upgrade the current lineup. These players are Jack Campbell, Brett Kulak, and Codi Ceci, who have a combined cap space of roughly $10 million for this season.

5 players the Edmonton Oilers can acquire

Oil on Whyte's Devon Hladunewich has already mentioned a couple of players who could be good fits; Nikita Zaitsev of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks' Adam Henrique. But, there are other quality depth players in the league that could also help the Edmonton Oilers as the Mar. 8 trade deadline approaches.

We've picked five players the Oilers should consider if made available, assuming their respective teams would be open to Campbell, Kulak or Ceci:

1. Defenseman: Seth Jones

Seth Jones would be a fantastic upgrade to the top-two defensive pairings at a cap hit of $9.5 million. His offensive-defensive game would benefit the Oilers, with the added speed and agility he possesses. This would markedly help the Edmonton Oilers.

2. Defenseman: Chris Tanev

Chris Tanev is not a goal-scorer, but has flawless defensive capabilities that would contribute well in the second defensive pairing. He would bring the added toughness and skating ability to the back end to work on the defensive aspect of the team. He has a cap hit of $4.5 million.

3. Forward/winger: Jake Guentzel

Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins will be a free agent after this year and he would be a perfect rental for the Edmonton Oilers, with a tenacious approach of going to the net and scoring. He would be a valuable addition to the bottom six and would be able to play on the top two lines if needed with his flexibility on ice. He is a wonderful skater with a knack for playmaking, such as the likes of Sydney Crosby, Evangi Malkin, and Kris Letang. His cap hit would be roughly $5.5 million.

4. Forward/winger: Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko would be another excellent veteran presence with the Edmonton Oilers, being that depth guy playing with the likes of Corey Perry or Sam Gagner. His experience and leadership would help navigate the do's and don'ts of the playoffs, providing added comfort on-ice for his teammates. His cap hit would be roughly $4.5 million.

5. Forward/winger: Adam Henrique

Adam Henrique of the Anaheim Ducks is a seasoned veteran in the NHL. His presence on the team would be ideal for skating, scoring, and using his skills to prevent any last-minute disruptions to the team during tight games in the playoffs. He would certainly complement Perry and provide the necessary chemistry the Oilers need. His cap hit would be roughly $5.6 million.

From this list, you can use your imagination as to how each would work out for the Edmonton Oilers. Jones would be the biggest gamble and toughest to trade for, with a big return package needed to balance out his $9.5 million cap hit.

Editor's Picks