Insider reveals price for Edmonton Oilers to acquire star Penguins forward in trade

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Liam McCormick
January 1, 2024 (6:49 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers clearly have a need for another goaltender to seriously strengthen the team before the trade deadline. With Campbell in the minors and Pickard backing up the de facto starter Stuart Skinner, a team with Stanley Cup aspirations like the Oilers would like some more consistent success and stability in their crease. However, the Oilers could look to another part of their roster to bolster in a trade.

According to Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun, the Oilers could be targeting Penguins' forward Jake Guentzel in a trade.

Right now, the goaltending market seems lacking on the talent the Oilers would need to fully stabilize their net. Instead the could add to their already lethal offence, doubling down on their elite talent up front, and try to keep out scoring their porous defence and goalies.

According to the insiders, the cost to acquire Jake Guentzel would only be a first round draft pick and a high end prospect. The Oilers could certainly meet that price, potentially offering Philip Broberg or Xavier Bourgalt in return. If the Oilers are planning to pursue Guentzel in trade, they'd have to find a way to dump the entirety of Jack Campbell's contract - and have immense faith in Olivier Rodrigue and Calvin Pickard as capable goalies for the rest of the season.

For now, we'll have to just have to wait and see how the Oilers approach the trade deadline, and hope the front office and GM Ken Holland can give the team what it needs to help them make a long run in the playoffs.