The Edmonton Oilers are without a doubt back in contention for the Stanley Cup this year. After another slow start to the season, they have once again ramped it up and are not far away from clinching their spot in the big dance. However, fans still seem eager to see some change within the team. Despite a flurry of offseason moves, such as the acquisitions of forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, there is still a lack of depth on the back end that the Oilers could use to make a deep run in the playoffs.
There are teams who are out of contention that are likely to do a deal for the right price. I’ve highlighted three potential options for Edmonton to pursue via trade, ranking them from most likely to least likely to happen.
It’s Very Possible: Jamie Oleksiak
Someone like Jamie Oleksiak is an ideal candidate for the Oilers; a veteran defenceman with a relatively manageable cap hit of $4.6 million. A towering, defence-first player who can eat up meaningful minutes on the back end is exactly what the Oilers need come playoff time.
Oleksiak serves as a reliable option for any team’s defence corps. He is on his third team in Seattle, also playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars. Along with his strong abilities close to home, he can provide help up front as well. The 13-year veteran has allotted 10 or more points in each season since 2017, making him a potential two-way threat.
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Considering how close Edmonton likes to play it to the salary cap limit, they would potentially need to make a cap-clearing move before bringing in a player like Oleksiak. They could also bring in a third team to retain some salary. The Oilers should also be able to pull off a move like this without surrendering a first-round pick, given they send a valuable player alongside a mid-round pick. If this move can be pulled off, it would be a huge boost for the back end.
You Never Know: Olli Maatta
Who better to have on the roster for a playoff run than a Stanley Cup champion? Olli Maatta has been a brick wall on the back end for any team he has played for. While his offensive production has taken a hit in recent years, his abilities in his own end remain the pinnacle of his game.
Maatta won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Playing behind players such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, it was pivotal for him to be a strong shot blocker and defender. He remains an important piece of the Utah Hockey Club, a team trying to find a new identity in their first year in Salt Lake City.
The 30-year-old veteran is under contract until the end of this season, carrying a rather modest $3 million cap hit. While his age and price tag make him very attractive for the Oilers, Utah would likely have a high asking price for Maatta given where they are at as a franchise. They are looking to compete soon for their new fans, however, they also would like to pick up as many assets as possible if they must give up a solid defenceman. This is why a transaction involving Maatta to Edmonton is more than likely not plausible, but is very possible with the right asking price.
Don’t Count On It: MacKenzie Weegar
A move for a defenceman on a division rival’s top pairing whilst they are in a playoff hunt themselves? It might sound insane to even suggest a move like this. However, it sounds a little less insane when you think about all the potential benefits for both sides. MacKenzie Weegar is known around the league for his strong two-way game, making him a perfect fit in Edmonton’s system.
Weegar is a threat no matter where he is on the ice. He can defend his end well and lay the body when needed, while also serving as an offensive quarterback for an attack on the opposition. He goes where he is needed and has been an important piece to both teams he has played for in his career.
While a trade within the division (and the province) seems very unlikely, it can’t hurt the Oilers to try. While a steep cap hit of just over $6 million is a bit of a deterrent, moving out another defenceman and a forward plus picks could be a possibility. A trade like this would likely have a few moving pieces given the cap hit plus the high price Calgary would be asking in this case. What it would ultimately come down to is how much Edmonton is willing to part with. Weegar is a star player that easily nets a first-round pick and a high-value prospect, and that’s just to start with.
So while something like this may look highly improbable, we can at least know in our minds that it could be done with a lot of work.
Regardless of how likely each trade may or may not look, the Oilers should be considering some kind of move to bolster their d-core. With the trade deadline growing ever closer in the NHL, management in Edmonton needs to make some kind of splash to satisfy the fans and keep the team afloat come playoff time.
