Recent 10th Overall Draft Pick, Top Defensive Prospect Connected to Edmonton Oilers in Trade

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has repeatedly been hinting it could be a left shot defenceman, and a player with term on their contract.

Yesterday, Elliotte Friedman discussed potential trade targets for the Oielrs and mentioned Mintyukov's name. The young defenceman has been scratched 3 times in the last 5 games, and a move could be percolating.

Mintyukov was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks 10th overall in 2022, and the left shot Russian defender has already played 87 career NHL games with good results. Still a recent top prospect, Mintyukov could have a long, great career ahead of him.

If Mintyukov is available for trade, the Edmonton Oilers should absolutely be interested in acquiring him - but it does come with some risk.

The upside to acquiring Mintyukov could be enormous. So far in Anaheim, he's produced very good analytics results on a poor Ducks team.

His raw stats aren't impressive though, with only 3 goals, 6 points, and a -6 rating in 24 games this year. According to scouting reports, he plays an aggressive physical game, but can also creatively move the puck.

The downsides of acquiring Mintyukov is that a veteran player may be more trusted for the playoffs, and the cost to acquire him would much higher than a rental player.

The Oilers were reported to be interested in a very similar player in David Jiricek before he was dealt to the Minnesota Wild. Jiricek was drafted just 4 slots ahead of Mintyukov in the same year.

Jiricek was traded for a major price tag - Minnesota sent a prospect and four draft picks to Columbus in the deal. The Oilers could afford a similar price tag for Mintyukov with future picks, but it would pretty much empty their cabinet.

If he would be able to come in and have immediate success in Edmonton, he could be set up to be under team control for minimal salary while the Oilers are right up against the constraints of the cap.

The Oilers are right to at least show interest in acquiring Mintyukov, and if the price is right, perhaps they pounce to make a deal.