Insider Addresses Rumours of Oilers Making Another Imminent Defence Trade
The Edmonton Oilers biggest need throughout this season will be a trade for a top four defenceman, but they still may wait until the last possible moment.
Reports surfaced last week that Stan Bowman and the Oilers were aggressively pursuing a trade, but that idea has now been refuted. Kurt Leavins in the Edmonton Journal has reported that the Oilers will wait until at least January, when Evander Kane is expected to return, to give themselves a better idea of their salary situation.
»So, unless something irresistible falls into Bowman's lap sooner, he should wait until after Christmas. He would then be in a much better position vis-à-vis the salary cap to go out and get a great player. But just as importantly, that would also be when more of those guys are actually available. Right now, he would be paying a premium price to fish in a small, shallow pool.»
- Kurt Leavins, Edmonton Journal
- Kurt Leavins, Edmonton Journal
The Oilers blue line has taken a real hit this season with the loss of Philip Broberg, Cody Ceci, and Vincent Desharnais. What the team really needs is a shut down defenceman to pair next to Darnell Nurse, who's struggled to win his minutes since Adam Larsson left his side.
Edmonton will surely be able to get themselves into a playoff spot and maintain that position without another defenceman. Waiting as long as possible to make a trade will give the Oilers the most time to accrue daily cap space, and evaluate all option that become available for trade. A player like Mattias Ekholm wasn't supposed to be dealt that year, but became available later.
Most recently, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer reported that the Flyers and the Blue Jackets would be the team's most likely trade partners - linking the team then to players like Rasmus Ristolainen and Ivan Provorov. Neither player feels like the perfect fit, so perhaps it is beneficial to wait.
The Oilers surprisingly made a depth defence trade today to acquire Ronnie Attard, but it's likely just a swap for AHL veteran rules.
At some point a much larger trade is coming for Edmonton this season, and it may make or break their playoffs. A partner to make Nurse playable this year is a priority so the Oilers don't get beat by deeper teams. Hopefully Stan Bowman and Jeff Jackson hit a home run with their expected big defenceman trade this year.
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