The Edmonton Oilers were dealt a blow when Evander Kane underwent knee surgery, sidelining him for 4-8 weeks. But with Kane landing on LTIR, the Oilers are presented with a unique opportunity: utilizing his cap hit to bolster their roster for a Stanley Cup push.
As Oilers insider David Staples suggests, this could be the time for General Manager Stan Bowman to make a significant move. The Oilers have been linked to Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard, but with the Habs in the playoff hunt themselves, prying him away might prove difficult.
Edmonton Oilers Trade Targets: Defense and Scoring Depth
Staples believes the Oilers’ primary needs lie in acquiring a second-pairing defenseman and a third-line winger. If Savard is indeed off the table, Pittsburgh Penguins rearguard Marcus Pettersson has emerged as a potential target. Pettersson, a solid two-way defenseman, would provide stability and experience to the Oilers’ blue line.
On the offensive side, the Oilers could look to add a scoring winger to complement their already potent top-six. Names like Josh Anderson (Montreal Canadiens) or even Brandon Tanev (Seattle Kraken) could provide the necessary depth and grit for a deep playoff run.
However, the Oilers face challenges in making a trade. Their prospect pool and draft pick cupboard are somewhat bare, limiting their trade capital. The saving grace could be the second and third-round picks acquired from the St. Louis Blues as compensation for signing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to offer sheets last summer.
It’s a delicate balancing act for Bowman. Does he mortgage the future for immediate gain, or does he hold onto those valuable picks for a rainy day? One thing is certain: with Kane’s LTIR space and Connor McDavid in his prime, the Oilers are in win-now mode. The weeks leading up to the NHL trade deadline will be crucial in determining how far they’re willing to go.
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