Insider reveals Oilers surprising target for their next trade deadline move

The Oilers traded to acquire forward Trent Frederic yesterday, but the team is still looking for a specific fit in their bottom six.

According to recent reports from Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, the next trade deadline pickup may be for a right shot centreman to the fourth line. Stauffer also hinted the player could be making just above $2M in salary.

Earlier this season, Bob Stauffer had stressed that a right shot fourth like centreman will be a need for the Oilers. They've chosen to upgrade on the internal options of Derek Ryan and Noah Philp, and Trent Frederic will play higher in the lineup than the 4th line.

At the moment, the team is playing Kasperi Kapanen as their fourth line center. The speedy Finnish forward has very little experience playing the middle of the ice, and instead, Kapanen is likely to be waived or traded to make room for their playoff 4th liner.

Sure, the Oilers could pick up another forward to address their fourth line, but the team seems to have much more pressing issues at other positions.

The defensive play of John Klingberg looks suspect to trust him in top 4 playoff minutes this season, and an upgrade may be required there. The Oilers goaltending is in full crisis mode, and should also be addressed at the deadline.

Trading for another forward would take assets and cap space away from the Oilers to adequately address any other position - it's surprising to hear they're targeting another forward for those reasons. Hopefully, the Oilers see their goalie and defence as bigger areas of need, and act accordingly.