The Oilers are now affiliated with more than a dozen NHL trade names (2023)

In a hockey-mad market like Edmonton's, there's always the talk of business. With the team chasing a playoff spot and many believing that a few plays could make the Edmonton Oilers a Stanley Cup contender, rumors will definitely be making the rounds. However, since then the organization has been associated with more than a dozen different names. Let's take a look at all of them and see if they are viable options or just talking about it.

Erik Karlsson is too expensive

como Eric Karlssonthe name appearedOutside of San Jose, the Sharks were seen as sellers and the Oilers were excited because they are a team that likes their experienced defenders who can guide young players. Karlsson is having an incredible comeback season and rumor has it that he could be ready to move on to a contender if the right one comes along.

Realistically, Karlsson has a virtually non-negotiable contract. With a contract that pays him $11.5 million a season, he has a few more years left and he's not in Edmonton's budget. He's 33, has no trade protection in his business and is seriously off the Oilers' radar.

Joel Edmundson injury concerns

Right away,joel edmundsonhe was perhaps just what the Oilers needed: a physical defensive blueliner who wasn't afraid to mix it up and had championship experience. That time has passed and his injury history is well documented. The Oilers will not bring in a player with chronic back problems who has slowed down and canI stay in line, especially if he has a deadline on his contract and he was going to get rid of a Philip Broberg or Brett Kulak. The price is too high for this player given the risk involved.

Vladislav Gavrikov is in great demand

There is a real possibility that the Oilers have their eye on this player. Edmonton watched the Canucks vs. Blue Jackets this weekend and general manager Ken Holland got a close look at Gavrikov in a recent Oilers loss to Columbus in overtime.wrote Daniel Nugent-BowmanEarlier this week, the player heard that the Oilers were investigating him. It's about the purchase price.

Latest news and highlights

Columbus wants at least a first- and third-round pick for the player, and as many as 10 teams compete against the hoops here. Is Edmonton willing to pay the premium? The contract is up and Gavrikov can be accessed if the Blue Jackets are willing to keep his salary or get another player back. For example, if Columbus takes Warren Foegele at full price, plus a first round pick and another pick for Gavrikov with a 50% hold, will the Blue Jackets bite?

Bo Horvat can be very expensive

If the Oilers want to take a big swing and think the priority should be a center, whatBo Horvat-Gerüchtemake some sense. Edmonton can move Leon Draisaitl permanently to wing with Connor McDavid and move Horvat to second. It's going to cost the Oilers dearly here, but the good news is that the Canucks are trying to do a "hockey trade" and get players back who can help now and in the future. Does that mean Jesse Puljujarvi would take center stage alongside the Oilers' first-round pick this summer?

And the Oilers consider Horvat just a lease? Many teams will want to talk to Horvat about an extension, and the Canucks have not allowed those talks. This may work in the Oilers' favor, as they may not consider extending it.

Jonathan Toews A bit of depth

There is no guarantee for that.jonathan trailersHe is willing to waive his no-move clause to help the Chicago Blackhawks make a trade possible, but there is speculation that this will eventually happen. In this case, the Oilers were tied with Toews as a deep center (possibly No. 2 or No. 3) for a playoff run. He has experience and leadership and can win games and play for the team on penalties.

The problem is your contract. As Nugent-Bowman writes:

The Oilers would have to get Chicago to cut Toews' $10.5 million cap in half. Ideally, they would even split it up by bringing in a third team. Toews, who has a full suspension clause, has 13 goals and 27 points in 42 games with a lousy Chicago team. Less likely for Horvat to unseat RNH as the No. 2 center and more likely for him to take on heavier defensive duties.

Source – “Bo Horvat? Jonathan Toews? What I Heard About Oilers Trade Deadlines - Daniel Nugent-Bowman - The Athletic - 01/21/2023

Will a third team do this? Will the Oilers send different assets to two different teams to make it work?

Anthony Duclair a laundry contract

Lately,Frank Seravalli in daily face to facesuggested the "fun" idea of ​​the Edmonton releaseJesse Puljujarvito Florida by Anthony Duclair. Duclair is currently injured, but a healthy Duclair is more likely to add goals to the Oilers' lineup than Puljujarvi. This is about money. They both have the same salary, and Florida probably won't give Duclair any money to make this work. The Oilers need deals that help them to their advantage, not outright deals.

John Klingberg Lautando

In the past offseason, theThe tankers were on the way.to defense attorney John Klingberg. There was even a rumor that Montreal might sign Klingberg and then transfer him to Edmonton in a deal. Klingberg acknowledged that his agent had talked to Edmonton over the summer, but ultimately opted to sign in Anaheim. The Ducks are struggling, as is Klingberg, so there are doubts he'll get a first-round pick before the deadline, which Anaheim wants.

Related:Netherlands under pressure to update tankers for trading date

This isn't a deal that makes a lot of sense for the Oilers. They need an offside, left-sided D-man, which Klingberg is not one of.

Jake McCabe replaces someone

The Blackhawks are selling vizjake mccabenot rented, he's a player who could attract interest from teams looking for a defender who can do more than add to a team beyond this season. In Edmonton, it's not clear if that's a positive or a negative, because signing someone with a mandate means removing a player from the current roster.

McCabe joining the Oilers would indicate that the team doesn't believe Brett Kulak is capable of doing his part in the second pair or that the team has chosen to drop Broberg.

Teddy Blueger for depth

as a partnerTHW employees notedIn a recent column about a possible Edmonton-Pittsburgh matchup,Frank Seravalli ligou oTankers and Penguins in a potential trade that would help Edmonton deal with its advanced depth. Seravalli sees Oilers trying to add Penguin penalty and pivotTeddy bearthis is the potential commercial chip.

Mattias Ekholm Ein Veteran mit Mandat

If the Oilers are looking for a veteran defenseman with tenure, the Mattias Ekholm rumors make sense. Ekholm could be paired with Tyson Barrie and his style of play would open up the offense for Barrie, who has done a decent job and played a more complete game this season. Ekholm is a solid Shutdown-type with the ability to kill penalties. The big problem is his age and contract. He has 32 years and three more seasons left on his contract, priced at $6.25 million per season.

Jakob Chychrun will cost several first rounds

Jakob Chychrun has partnered with any team looking for a solid defender who can join a team's Blue Line Corps and stabilize their backend. The Oilers are no different and he was mentioned in connection with the team. However, most pundits either ruled the Oilers out or said they changed any notion of him as an option because the Oilers were unwilling to pay the asking price.

Chychrun costs a team, when transferred, at least two more first-rounders. In Edmonton, that's this year's first-round pick Philip Broberg and another taker like Reid Schaffer or Xavier Borgeault.

Matt Dumba on Minnesota Tours

The Minnesota Wild is likely trying to get rid of Matt Dumba. He's been a healthy scratch, his production is down, he's an upcoming UFA, and the Wild has very public capitalization issues going forward. If there is no plan to re-sign the player, can they re-sign him for a very low price, and does the Wild keep his salary? Possibly.

The question Edmonton would have to ask itself is whether it can help and recover in another city. Could you use a change of scenery?