Insider Reports Oilers Could Be Looking to Add a Long Term Player in Trade
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer posed a question during the second intermission of the Tampa Bay Lightning Oilers game on whether the Oilers may look at a left-handed shot defenseman as much as a right-handed shot.
With general manager Stan Bowman expressing the need and want to upgrade the Oilers defence several prominent names across the NHL began to surface including Cam Fowler, Mike Matheson, Ivan Provorov and Alexandre Carrier.
Several of these teams that have these defensemen are teams that are in full rebuilds which includes the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Adding a defenseman like Cam Fowler to the mix would completely change the dynamic of the Oilers defense as the longtime Anaheim Ducks is well known for his point production and steady presence on the blue line as he would always ring in over 22 minutes a game.
It would likely be a money in money out situation or money retention to make this fit as Fowler has one year remaining on his deal after this season and holds a cap hit of $6.5 million.
Matheson would fit in the similar category as Fowler as he too is a point getting power play specialist. Adding a player of his calibre to be alongside Evan Bouchard would give the Oilers a significant boost in their power play it be a deadly 1-2 punch.
The Canadiens would likely need a player in return that would be ready to play in the NHL as they are continuously trying to push their rebuild forward.
Ivan Provorov would give more toughness to the Oilers blue line as the once Philadelphia Flyer who then became a Columbus Blue Jacket would be leaned more on the defensive side which is one of the issues the Oilers are currently having.
A few weeks ago, several Oilers scouts were seen at the Columbus Blue Jackets game and Provorov was mentioned as a possible target.
Finally, a familiar face for Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm would be the addition of Alexandre Carrier as he was his former linemate and partner on their defence for the Predators.
Carrier has been linked in trade rumors over the past couple of months, with the Predators in a state of disarray. The team is struggling mightily at times and cannot seem to find the win column which has signalled general manager Barry Trotz to a possible rebuild heading into next summer.
Carrier has a contract that has two years remaining and a cap hit worth $3.75 million per season. This would likely be a contract worth exploring.
In the end, it's safe to say the Oilers will be looking out across the league for potential replacements especially as the Oilers are gaining strength in their division. All players mentioned above would be a significant upgrade and be quite helpful for the Oilers, but time will tell on what General Manager Stan Bowman will do.
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