As I watched Brad Marchand at the Four Nations Face-Off last night, my desire for the Edmonton Oilers to bring him in at the trade deadline only grew stronger. The more I see him play, the more I am convinced that he is the type of player the Oilers need to push them closer to a championship. His blend of grit, scoring ability, and leadership would be a perfect fit in Edmonton’s top six. But while the idea of adding Marchand is tantalizing, it’s not without its challenges.
Brad Marchand is the type of player that every contending team needs. He’s tough to play against and has a knack for getting under opponents’ skin. His pest-like style forces teams to constantly deal with him, creating space for his teammates. But it’s not just his physicality that makes him so valuable, Marchand also has an impressive scoring touch. So far this season, he’s notched 20 goals and 24 assists in 57 games, putting up nearly half a point per game. Marchand’s ability to score big goals and make things happen in key moments would be exactly what the Oilers need in their top six.
In the Oilers' current lineup, they have offensive firepower, but Marchand would bring a much-needed edge. He’s a player who thrives in high-pressure situations, and Edmonton could greatly benefit from his leadership. Whether it’s his ability to stir the pot or his clutch goals, Marchand could take some of the attention off Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl on the ice, allowing the Oilers to be even more dangerous in the postseason.
However, as appealing as the thought of adding Marchand is, there are significant hurdles to making this deal work. First and foremost, acquiring a player of his caliber will not come cheap. The Boston Bruins are known for being tough negotiators, and it’s unlikely they’ll let one of their stars go without receiving a substantial return. The Oilers would have to part with valuable assets to bring him to Edmonton, but the real challenge lies in his contract.
Marchand carries a cap hit of $6.125 million, which, while manageable for most teams, could prove difficult for the Oilers, especially with their current cap constraints. The team would likely have to make some tough decisions regarding roster moves to accommodate his salary. Even with a trade, the Oilers might need the Bruins to retain a portion of Marchand’s cap hit to make the deal more feasible.
If the Oilers can make the numbers work, though, adding Marchand could provide a significant boost to their playoff chances. His two-way game, ability to score, and gritty style would make Edmonton even more dangerous come playoff time. While it might take some creative cap management and a few key trades, Brad Marchand’s potential arrival in Edmonton would certainly be a game-changer for the Oilers’ top six. For now, though, we can only hope that the trade deadline brings the Oilers the type of player who can bring the team over the top—and Marchand might just be the perfect fit.