The Edmonton Oilers are in a good position. Winners of 13 straight games, the team just added Corey Perry via free agency without giving up anything but a bit of cap space. The team also reinserted Dylan Holloway into the lineup without needing to move anyone to make room. That’s two potential depth adds that, if things pan out as expected, fill two areas of need for the team. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, he also believes those deals open up some wiggle room to make other moves.
Suggesting that Edmonton could push their chips all in and use both the first-round pick in 2024 and 2025 to make the necessary changes to be a Stanley Cup favorite, let’s take a look at three areas that are arguably strengths of the Oilers, but could get even better.
Dump the Jack Campbell Contract
Some may argue that goaltending isn’t a strength, but it’s fair to say the Oilers’ netminding situation is light years better than it was even a month ago. Stuart Skinner has settled in and become one of the league’s hottest backstops over the last ten starts, Calvin Pickard is doing an excellent job as a backup, and Jack Campbell is performing much better in the AHL after three poor starts for Bakersfield.
Potentially happy with the combination of Skinner and Pickard, any move by the Oilers currently would involve trading Campbell’s salary and using the cap space to make other moves. Of course, this is easier said than done.
This isn’t to rule out the idea that Edmonton might look at goaltenders, Seravalli suggests the Oilers could use the first-round pick they didn’t have to use to add a depth forward and dangle it as a sweetener in the Campbell trade. If GM Ken Holland can successfully find a taker, the Oilers can move the money owed to Campbell and go after a defenseman or a top-six forward.
Oilers Could Eye a Blue Line Upgrade
While Jason Gregor contends that there is no clear upgrade above a guy like Cody Ceci on the right side for Edmonton, that will not deter the Oilers from seeking this season’s “Mattias Ekholm” deal. Chris Tanev comes to mind as a potential upgrade over Ceci. Perhaps not. Regardless, the cost of making such modification must be carefully examined.
Alternatively, the Oilers might consider stepping up and pursuing someone like Jakob Chychrun. There is a lot of speculation about his future in Ottawa, and his flexibility to play anywhere on the left or right side makes him an appealing target. Is he a better choice than Ceci? Could the Oilers take a massive leap up from Brett Kulak?
The Oilers defense has been solid. In fact, it’s been so good, it can and should be given credit as one of the main reasons the team has won 13 in a row. It’s reasonable to think that a similar package to what it cost for Ekholm might be what it takes to get Chychrun.
Oilers Could Swing Big on a Top-Six Forward
Edmonton would love to have a true 25-goal scorer on their second line to play alongside Leon Draisaitl. Jake Guentzel is the most obvious example of a player who fits this description. There is a potential he will be traded, and while the Oilers are playing well and have one of the greatest forward groups in the NHL, acquiring someone like Guentzel would make the Oilers’ offence scarier.
How does any team defend Connor McDavid, Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Guentzel, and either Warren Foegele or Evander Kane? As significant as this move is, it may also be the easiest one for the Oilers to execute. At the deadline, there are always more forwards available than any other position. Typically, this is a buyer’s market. However, Guentzel is a rental and would come at a high cost.
How much should the Oilers be willing to pay to put together a lineup of 12 forwards who could be better than any in the NHL?
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