Trading away their defensemen
The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a precarious situation, thanks to a strategic offer sheet from the St. Louis Blues targeting two of their restricted free agents, Broberg and Holloway. In order to match the Blues’ offer and retain these promising young talents, the Oilers must navigate the challenging waters of the NHL’s salary cap. Even if they place forward Evander Kane on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), they remain perilously close to the cap ceiling, forcing the team to explore other options to create the necessary financial flexibility.
For the Oilers, being cap compliant is not just a formality; it’s a critical requirement that will determine whether they can match the Blues' offer and keep Broberg and Holloway in Edmonton. The LTIR option with Evander Kane provides some temporary relief, but it’s not a perfect solution. LTIR can give the Oilers some breathing room, but it also limits their ability to accrue cap space over the course of the season. With their cap situation already tight, the Oilers need to make significant moves to ensure they have the flexibility to respond to the offer sheet.
One of the most obvious moves the Oilers can make is to trade defenseman Cody Ceci. Ceci, who carries a $3.25 million cap hit, has been a steady presence on the Oilers' blue line, but his role could be considered expendable given the team’s current predicament. Moving Ceci would free up substantial cap space, giving the Oilers the financial leeway to match the Blues' offer.
Ceci has value on the trade market as a reliable, right-shot defenseman with experience in both defensive and shutdown roles. Teams looking for a veteran presence on the back end might find Ceci’s skill set appealing, making him a viable trade candidate. While trading Ceci would create a gap in the Oilers' defense, the potential to retain Broberg—who is expected to step into a more prominent role—could justify the move.
Another player the Oilers might consider moving is defenseman Brett Kulak. Kulak, with a cap hit of $2.75 million, has been a versatile and dependable defenseman for Edmonton. His ability to play both sides of the blue line and contribute in various situations makes him a valuable asset. However, in a cap crunch, the Oilers might have to part with a player like Kulak to create the necessary space.
Trading Kulak would also open up opportunities for younger defensemen, such as Broberg, to take on more responsibility. Additionally, Kulak’s affordable contract and solid play make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their defensive depth. Moving Kulak, combined with other cost-cutting measures, could provide the Oilers with the flexibility they need to retain Broberg and Holloway.