The NHL trade deadline is just under one week away, and trade speculation is at an all-time high. The Edmonton Oilers are in a tricky spot, but must improve their roster if they hope to win the Stanley Cup in June. They are currently on a five-game losing streak and haven’t won a game in regulation since Jan. 27. They have a few glaring holes to fill but limited assets and cap space available.
One trade partner that makes sense is the Boston Bruins. Like Edmonton, Boston is also struggling and is on a five-game skid of their own, but they don’t have the same expectations. They are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division and four points out of a playoff spot. Since they are on the outside looking in, they may sell some important pieces, and if that’s the case, general manager Stan Bowman should give Don Sweeney a call. Here are three Bruins the Oilers should target this trade deadline.
Justin Brazeau
Justin Brazeau would be the cheapest to acquire and has the lowest cap hit at only $775,000. In 55 games, he has 10 goals, which would put him seventh on the Oilers. On top of that, he’s a big boy, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 227 pounds. He averages 12:59 minutes a game and would add much-needed size to this forward group while providing some offence.
Related: Bruins Should Shop Brazeau at NHL Trade Deadline
However, the 27-year-old isn’t a perfect fit. While he’s a right-shot with size, he’s not a centre, and this team needs a fourth-line centre. If Edmonton acquires him, they can move Mattias Janmark to centre and take Kasperi Kapanen out of the lineup. He would be an upgrade. But his teammate, Trent Frederic, would’ve been the ideal trade candidate because he’s a right-shot, big, and a physical centre who plays with grit. Unfortunately, he got injured during Tuesday’s game (Feb. 25) and is listed as week-to-week, so should Edmonton risk acquiring him if he won’t be available until closer to playoff time? Brazeau would be a solid fallback option.
Brad Marchand
This is an unlikely option, but if Bowman wants to add a top-six winger who’s on a reasonable contract, Brad Marchand is a great target. The 36-year-old veteran is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) with a cap hit of $6.125 million. The aging forward is still producing and is a pest to play against, which is exactly what Edmonton needs. He has 21 goals and 47 points in 60 games. Except for Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have struggled to score throughout the lineup. Marchand would be a welcome addition and help alleviate the pressure on Draisaitl’s back. Management and the coaching staff love their veterans, so he would fit right in. However, since Edmonton has limited assets, their priority should be acquiring a top-four defenceman, which brings us to our last target.
Brandon Carlo
Brandon Carlo is a guy the Oilers should consider selling the future for. He’s got two more years left on his current deal, with an affordable $4.1 million cap hit. Therefore, he wouldn’t be a rental, so the organization should feel comfortable giving up more to acquire him. His salary alone makes him an intriguing option and a valuable asset. The 28-year-old defender is a steady, right-shot blue liner with a massive 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame.
Carlo only has one goal and nine points through 59 games this season. He’s not an offensively gifted player, but Edmonton doesn’t need him to be. They need a steady shutdown defenceman to eat some minutes and ease the workloads of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm. The Colorado native is averaging 18:41 minutes a game this season and 19:48 in his career. He’s also a plus-2 this season on a mediocre Bruins team. He would be the perfect fit to pair with Darnell Nurse.
What Does a Potential Deal Look Like?
Edmonton can use Boston as a one-stop shop to address its needs. They can get a bottom-sixer, a top-sixer, and a top-four defenceman if they choose to do so. If the acquisition cost is too high, they can fill two holes or prioritize the defenceman. It might be hard to acquire Marchand with their current cap situation and the uncertainty of Evander Kane’s health, so a package deal involving both Brazeau and Carlo makes sense. So, what would a potential deal look like?
It’s been rumoured that Boston is seeking a roster player and either a second-round pick or a top prospect to acquire Carlo’s services. So, would Beau Akey, Viktor Arvidsson, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick be enough for both Brazeau and Carlo? The Bruins would get their roster player, a quality defensive prospect, and two draft picks, including a second-rounder, since they are without one this upcoming draft. Meanwhile, the Oilers dump $4 million in cap space for next season and receive a top-four defenceman with term and a bottom-six rental, both on exceptional contracts. The Oilers would also keep their first-round pick, which is important. Boston isn’t looking to rebuild completely, so if they get valuable assets, they can retool on the fly by either flipping those assets or keeping them. Meanwhile, Edmonton gets two quality players for a potential Cup run. It’s a win-win for both teams, thus making Edmonton and Boston perfect trade partners.
Should Edmonton target any of these players, and if so, what should they give up to make it happen? Keep following The Hockey Writers for all your NHL news and rumours as we approach the trade deadline and head toward the playoffs.
