Edmonton Oilers make strange trade with St. Louis Blues after offer sheets

The Edmonton Oilers will receive an extra third round draft pick and Paul Fischer, a 19 year old 5th round draft pick by the Blues in 2023, and the only return is 'future considerations'.

This trade comes just moments after the Edmonton Oilers officially did not match the offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway by the St. Louis Blues. It seems this trade is basically gifting the Oilers a few small assets for the offer sheets - where the Oilers have already received a second round pick and third round pick in compensation.

It's extremely strange to see an add-on trade to a previous transaction, but that's what this appears to be. Offer sheets are viewed somewhat as a hostile action amongst NHL executives, so perhaps this is a recognition of that fact and a small remedy. Future considerations in a trade often ends up really being nothing.

The Oilers may regret letting two promising young players walk to the St. Louis Blues, but they were too pressed against the salary cap this year an in future years to be able to comfortably match these salaries - especially while paying Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard more next season. Now that they've let these two players walk and shredded some salary in the Cody Ceci trade, the Oilers should take these draft picks acquired and look to make a trade for an impact defenceman in the upcoming season.