Edmonton Oilers Have Trade Offer Denied For Defenceman David Jiricek, Per Insider

Friedman explained that if the Blue Jackets are trading Jiricek, the 6th overall draft pick from 2022, they'd want a young top prospect in return.

The Edmonton Oilers only have Matthew Savoie as a blue chip prospect, and rightfully don't want to flip him so fast after acquiring him last offseason.

The Oilers had been linked to Jiricek several times in the last few weeks as their addition for a top four defenceman this season, and trade rumours were even believed to be heating up when Jiricek was sent to the AHL.

Jiricek would've made an interesting addition as a cost-controlled player for the future, but a risky addition considering the cost and unknowns with a younger player. Edmonton still has good options, even from Columbus.

The Blue Jackets are also expected to trade 27 year old defenceman Ivan Provorov, who may be a better fit for the Edmonton Oilers as an older, more experienced player.

The price to acquire Ivan Provorov was recently reported to be a first round draft pick.

The Oilers don't have their first round draft pick this year, but do have their picks in 2025 and 2026 to deal.

Provorov has produced mixed results after being a first round pick himself in 2015, but seems to have lost his confidence playing on rebuilding teams for most of his career.

If the Oilers do acquire Provorov, hopefully they're able to get the best hockey of his career.

Edmonton entered this season bent on adding an impact defenceman to their lineup, but so far this season, the underperforming factors have been their scoring and goaltending.

The Oilers seemingly haven't wavered from their willingness for a defender, but we'll see if they do pivot to another position. Trading for a player like Provorov and his $4.725M salary may prevent the Oilers from adding anywhere else.