Oilers Top Defence Target May Be Off The Board if Stan Bowman Waits Too Long

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has reported Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadiens to be the team's top defence trade target this year.

However, the Canadiens are beginning to put it together and are on a winning streak to bring them back into the wild card race.

As a hardcore hockey market that hasn't made the postseason in years, they won't be selling players if they're even close to making it.

The Habs haven't been a competitive team in years so it's hard to believe they can sustain this success to be in playoff contention by the trade deadline, but a few other teams in the East have collapsed, leaving room for Montreal to make a run.

Mike Matheson would be a prime target for the Oilers as a puck moving defenceman, reliable minute-eater, and able to play both sides. However, the Oilers can only hope that he'll be available for trade at the deadline.

He's having some impressive offensive success in the last two seasons as well, scoring 62 points last season and 18 points in 32 games this year.

The Oilers are trying to accrue as much salary cap space as possible through this season to unload at the trade deadline. They won't have the financial flexibility to make a trade earlier.

Stan Bowman will have a tough task to thread the needle of trade discussions to get the player he wants at the time the Oilers can accommodate him. Whoever they trade for, hopefully it's a home run addition that puts the Oilers blue line over the top in the playoffs.