Hockey Reporter Reveals Oilers Trade Target With Canadian Eastern Conference team
Hockey reporter Allan Mitchell of the Athletic has revealed the defenseman that the Edmonton Oilers should target who is Mike Matheson playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
Matheson is considered a smooth skater and a great puck moving defenseman that would give the Oilers a new dimension to their blue line and also has a very friendly contract that holds a $4.875 million cap hit with one year left to go.
A player like Matheson would help put the Oilers over the top as the team is currently in a win now mode and will likely put all their chips in the middle like last season in order to try to win a Stanley Cup.
Matheson Is also a left-handed shot which is what the Oilers need currently. It's well known that general manager Stan Bowman has been scouring the league in an attempt to upgrade his blue line which has a glaring hole especially in the number four spot.
The Oilers have draft capital and several players within their minor system that could be offered to the Canadiens who are currently in a rebuilding phase and are desperately thin in terms of talent and on their blue line.
Hughes says Canadiens open for business
Canadiens General manager Kent Hughes has stated that his team is open for business and is ready to make some moves to help move his rebuilding along and adding a player like Matthew Savoie or Beau Akey could convince Hughes to part ways with Michael Matheson.
It's safe to say the Oilers have a market to work with and that both teams could benefit from a trade like this. Many feel that the Oilers will work hard to try to upgrade their blue line especially with assistant coach Paul Coffey behind the bench who has shown that he can make this defense do amazing things even though it's been depleted.
As we take over into 2025, the trade rumors will continue to intensify, and it remains to be seen on what Bowman will do but likely will be active up until March.
