Three Assets the Edmonton Oilers Can Trade Away at the Deadline
Edmonton Oilers weigh trade options to bolster playoff roster, eyeing valuable assets for strategic acquisitions
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Edmonton Oilers are in a spot where they need to improve their team. With aspirations for a Stanley Cup run, the team must assess their assets carefully to address any weaknesses in their roster. Here are three potential assets the Oilers could consider trading away to bolster their chances.
2024 First-Round Pick
The 2024 first-round pick is one of the top assets for the Edmonton Oilers as they approach the trade deadline. In the NHL first-round selections are one of the highest-valued assets for a team that is rebuilding. For the Oilers, parting ways with their first-round pick could provide an immediate boost to their roster, particularly in areas of need such as defensive depth or secondary scoring.
While picking a player in the first round of the draft is enticing, the Oilers find themselves in a spot where they need to win now. With superstar talents like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, Edmonton's focus shifts from long-term growth to immediate contention. As such, trading away their 2024 first-round pick is a move that makes sense for the Oilers right now.
Of course, trading a first-round pick is not without risk. The unpredictability of the NHL draft means that the Oilers could potentially miss out on a future high-end player by trading away their pick. However, in a win-now mode, the opportunity to acquire established talent capable of making an immediate impact would outweigh the uncertainty associated with draft picks.
The Edmonton Oilers' 2024 first-round pick holds significant value as a trade asset even more so for a team that will be a seller at the deadline. While trading away a first-round selection carries some risk, the potential rewards in terms of bolstering the roster for a playoff push make it a compelling option for the Oilers as they try to plan for the trade deadline.
Xavier Bourgault
Xavier Bourgault, a highly-touted prospect within the Edmonton Oilers' organization, represents a valuable trade asset as the team approaches the trade deadline. Selected 22nd overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Bourgault has shown immense promise as a dynamic forward who has the potential to be an NHL player in the future.
In 48 games so far this season for the Bakersfield Condors Bourgault has 17 points. He has 7 goals coupled with 10 assists. These numbers are a bit of a drop over his season last year where he had 13 goals and 21 assists in 62 games. While his numbers in the AHL aren’t anything special, his numbers and his play in the QMJHL were good enough to get him drafted 22nd overall.
Bourgault finds himself in a somewhat crowded depth chart within the Oilers' organization despite his potential. With the team in a win-now scenario, the Oilers don’t have the place for a player looking to learn, because of this opportunities for ice time at the NHL level are limited for the young forward in the immediate future within the Oilers organization.
Because of this, the Oilers could explore the possibility of leveraging Bourgault's value in trade negotiations to address areas of need on their roster. He would likely be a throw-in in a trade. Bourgault is still a young former first-round pick and a player like that is something any team would be interested in bringing into their organization.
While parting ways with a promising prospect like Bourgault is never an easy decision, the Edmonton Oilers must weigh the potential long-term benefits against the immediate gains that a trade could provide. Ultimately, Bourgault's value as a trade asset lies in his combination of skill, youth, and potential, making him an enticing option for teams looking to make a splash at the trade deadline.
Warren Foegele
Warren Foegele, a versatile forward known for his physical play and defensive prowess, presents the Edmonton Oilers with a valuable trade asset as they navigate the trade deadline. Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes a few seasons ago, Foegele has quickly endeared himself to Oilers fans with his hard-nosed style of play and ability to contribute at both ends of the ice.
With the Oilers hoping to add additional skill in the forward group at the deadline, Foegele's role on the team may be subject to change. While his gritty style of play provides valuable depth for Edmonton, the team may opt to leverage Foegele's value in trade negotiations to address areas of need on their roster.
Foegele's skill set could prove enticing to contending teams in search of depth for a playoff run. His ability to excel in a bottom-six role while also having the ability to play in your top 6. With him being a UFA at the end of the season the team that would acquire him wouldn’t be tied to him for the long term.
While parting ways with a player is never easy, the Edmonton Oilers must weigh the potential return in trade negotiations against the value he brings to their roster. Whether it's acquiring an established player or just a throw-in to make the cap work in a trade, Foegele's versatility makes him an intriguing trade asset for the Oilers as they seek to strengthen their roster for a Stanely Cup push.
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The March 8th trade deadline is getting closer and if the Edmonton Oilers want to improve their team, then they will need to make some sort of trade. I don’t know what they will end up bringing in or shipping out to make their team better, but like every year I am excited to see what happens.
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