Edmonton Oilers targeting a major move at the deadline

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Liam McCormick
February 3, 2024 (9:39 PM)

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Heading into this year's trade deadline, the Oilers have been connected to a number of massive potential trade targets, notably including Jake Guentzel or Jordan Eberle. Now however, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer is reporting that the team may try to prioritize a different kind of player entirely - on with term on their contract.

Both Guentzel and Eberle along with many other potential targets before have been short term rentals, but the Oilers could do better to set out to acquire a player with term, like Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Konecny is signed for the rest of this season and next season for a manageable contract of $5.5M and can contribute offensively as well as bringing a bit of a mean streak. Konecny's having a great year this season with 22 goals and 42 points in 50 games. Despite still being able to compete for a playoff spot, the Flyers are recognizing the needs of their rebuild and are willing to trade him.

Acquiring Konecny with salary retention coukd cost quite a bit in trade assets however. According to Bob Stauffer and Frank Seravalli, acquiring the next two seasons of Konecny including salary retention will cost two late first round picks and a high end prospect.

Making a move for Konecny would be a massive addition for the Oilers, and staying with the team next season for a cap hit of potentially $2.25M would be incredible value, and be a key piece to the team next year. The Oilers couldn't trade two firsts this year, but could perhaps counter with another top prospect like Xavier Bourgault or Philip Broberg.