The Oilers would regret trading one of these three players

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Joshua Deeds
July 22, 2023 (9:28)

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Since free agency is slowly passing by the Edmonton Oilers, the team hasn't had much flexibility in maximizing their potential.

The team has traded Klim Kostin, Kailer Yamamoto, and Nick Bjugstad returned to Arizona for another season.

Although they may require assistance in other areas, bringing in a player like Travis Konecny will require some sacrifices. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had an impressive season, scoring 100+ points and making a significant impact. Selling him now could result in a higher return.

Even if his shooting percentage declines, the fact remains that RNH is still a 70-point player with a good ability to play on the power-play and in penalty-killing situations. He can fit in on many teams in the league.

In the long run, you could move on from Cody Ceci and acquire possible assets, although he wasn't at his best this year as he was injured, there's a good chance he could bounce back, and his contract makes him a bargain top-4 option.

As a final note, there should be no mention of Brett Kulak who is capable of slotting into a top position if needed and is a reliable player. As a depth option, the contract for Kulak is affordable at $2.75 Million, which is a very good price.

It may be beneficial to move on from one, or even two, or even all three players since the team will need to sign Evan Bouchard, but losing out on a depth defenseman, especially if an injury strikes, could prove detrimental.

It appears that the best thing they can do at this point is make the playoffs and see how the trade deadline plays out.

As Seen On: nhltradetalk.com