Insider Names Two Eastern Conference Teams as Prime Oilers Trade Partners

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Ryan Hall
November 2, 2024 (8:53 PM)

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Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now has revealed two Eastern Conference teams that will likely be trading partners with the Edmonton Oilers as the team continues to scour the league for help in their top four defense parings.

The two clubs better mentioned are both in rebuilding phases and are in the metropolitan division as the Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets will be looking to trade key pieces to help recuperate draft picks and prospects. The two players in question are Rasmus Ristolainen of the Flyers and Ivan Provorov of the Blue Jackets.

The 30-year-old Ristolainen has been in trade rumors for the past several months as the former first rounder from the Buffalo Sabres is looking for a change of scenery. He currently ties up $5.1 million AAV for the next four seasons. His game went healthy, has been decent as he was a regular 40 plus point player over several years. Injuries have marred his career, but he possesses offensive needs that the Oilers could use.

Provorov is another player who could look good on the Oilers blue line he would bring a physical portion to his game standing at 6' 1» and 213 pounds he would be a significant upgrade as he plays on average 23 minutes a game. In his last season with Columbus, he played all 82 games scoring five goals with 27 assists for 32 points and had 20 penalty minutes.

Stauffer believes the cost would be two second round picks and another potential pick to acquire one of those defensemen. As salary retention has become the norm in the NHL, both teams would need to retain a portion of their salaries to make the trade work. Provorov would likely be the candidate as he only holds his current year of this year at $4.72 million and the Columbus Blue Jackets could retain 50% which would make the trade more palatable.

The Oilers hold their 2nd round and 3rd round picks for the next three drafts and would be able to offer that price.

The fanbase will wait and see what Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has in mind but either of these two players would be a significant upgrade to the Oilers blue line.