Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumours: Defensive Upgrades
Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumours: Potential Available Options
Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets (possible, but strings attached)
Peter Chiarelli may need to expand his options to address their need by targeting next summer’s free agents. There’s an inherent risk in making this type of deal, but the goal would be to lock down the arriving player long-term with an extension. If Edmonton can make a deal now, there’s time to explore an extension. In which case the player could be flipped to another team at the trade deadline if extension talks fall apart.
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It’s still unclear whether Winnipeg is looking to extend Dustin Byfuglien, but this deal could work for a few reasons. Because of his no-trade clause, Byfuglien is required to submit a five team list at the beginning of each season.
The Oilers chances of being on that list is slim, but Winnipeg could always approach Byfuglien if there’s a deal to be made. If Dustin were willing to accept a trade to Edmonton, there’s a chance he’d be willing to extend long-term.
Dustin Byfuglien is a rare-breed of hockey player, constantly playing with a gritty edge that can sometimes land him in hot water. The only criticism about his game is that his gritty style leads to league-leading performances in minor penalties. He’s a major contributor to Winnipeg’s “undisciplined” label that they’ve acquired over the past couple of years.
But make no mistake, there isn’t a team in the NHL that wouldn’t love to have the services of Dustin Byfuglien.
Going the other way:
Not likely an option with Winnipeg’s depth at centre.
Jordan Eberle
Based on value required to make this deal work, Jordan Eberle would almost certainly be included in any deal. Luckily, the Jets have defensive depth with Josh Morrissey knocking on the door for full-time duties. Meaning, Edmonton would only have to sacrifice a defensive prospect at best, if any defender at all.
Oct 24, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Islanders defenseman
(3) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues defenseman
(25) defends during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Hamonic, New York Islanders (near impossible trade to make)
There’s been recent speculation that GM Garth Snow could honour Travis Hamonic’s wishes by sending him to Edmonton. This is a difficult deal to make with the given knowledge that Garth Snow is seeking a quality defender in return. Hamonic is the most ideal available piece fitting the Oilers needs, but Edmonton doesn’t have the necessary pieces to make a trade.
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Eyes On Isles
TSN analysts suggested that Edmonton might be able to make a trade if they’re willing to part ways with young Oscar Klefbom. Considering the affordable cap hit, along with his age and what he’s done so far, it’s difficult to imagine Edmonton willing to part with this young man.
As for Travis Hamonic, he’s been a main-stay on the Islanders blue-line for several years now, logging big minutes. He’s shown glimpses of his offensive flash, but it’s what he does in his own-end that makes him so valuable. That, and his extremely well-valued contract with long-term.
Going the other way:
Oscar Klefbom
Chances are Edmonton is unwilling to move this young man, but even if they were, it’s no guarantee Garth Snow would even be interested.
He’s struggled in 2015-16 thus far, but is still an offensive force from the back-end. If Garth Snow is interested in adding a blue-liner with defensive liabilities, there might be a deal to be had. Let’s call this one unlikely as well. This would need to be a multi-player deal, probably including Jordan Eberle, with another Islanders player heading to Edmonton.
Next: More Likely Trade Targets
November 27, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman
(4) moves the puck against Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks (top target)
It’s always more difficult to make deals within the same conference, but not as unlikely as inter-divisional trades. The Ducks early struggles have sparked several trade rumours in 2015-16, and it looks as though Anaheim could use another top-six forward.
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Not surprisingly, Cam Fowler is the one name connected most frequently with trade rumours. Anaheim’s future on the back-end revolves around Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, and eventually Shea Theodore. It’s not a knock on Fowler’s talent, simply an odd-man out scenario. He’s a little better on the offensive side of the puck, but Fowler still has the ability to log major minutes. He’s only 23, which means there’s still room for growth in his game.
Anaheim has a little over $6.3 million dollars in cap space, putting them in a very advantageous position to absorb extra salary.
Going the other way:
Jordan Eberle
The Ducks could use a natural left-winger more than anything, but NHL players are adaptable. If Corey Perry or Jordan Eberle would feel comfortable playing on the left side, there might be a possible deal.
Any additional pieces in an Eberle-Fowler deal would be fairly minor as the two carry similar trade value. Fowler may have a slight edge due to age and position.
Nov 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
(3) skates around his net with the puck as he is chased by Boston Bruins center
(36) at Air Canada Centre. The Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs (possible, but less likely)
If there’s any known available player that might waive their no-movement clause to play in Edmonton, it’s probably the guy who was born there. Dion began in career in Calgary, but perhaps he’d be willing to suit up for the Flames Provincial rival. He does own a modified no-trade clause, which requires him to submit a 12-team list at the beginning of each season. One would imagine his hometown would be included on that list, no?
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Eyes On Isles
Ideally, Edmonton is looking for someone much more responsible in their own end who logs a lot of minutes. But Toronto has proven in 2015-16 that Dion Phaneuf is most effective when you can better manage and limit his minutes. He’s shown in the past that he has a propensity to make vital mental mistakes at crucial moments in games. By cutting down his minutes in 2015-16, Mike Babcock has shown that Dion Phaneuf can be an extremely useful defender. The question remains on whether or not Peter Chiarelli would be even be remotely interested.
You’d have to imagine that Toronto would be eating some of Dion’s salary in order for this to work. Edmonton has more than enough young offensive pieces to spark Toronto’s interest in trade talks. It’s quite possible that any deal between Edmonton and Toronto would be of the blockbuster nature (something we don’t see a lot of anymore).
Going the other way:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
There’s no way that Phaneuf alone would work. Toronto would need to include NHL ready prospects, or NHL roster players, because Edmonton is ready to take the next step right now. If the Maple Leafs were to include James van Riemsdyk, a multi-player deal including a couple more bodies going each way could work.
Jordan Eberle
Not as much trade value as RNH, but again Phaneuf wouldn’t be quite enough to get a deal done. The Maple Leafs may have to unload a defensive prospect such as Stuart Percy or Viktor Loov, along with an additional piece. Leo Komarov has arguably been the Maple Leafs best player in 2015-16, so perhaps including his name in an offer is an option?
Next: Dylan Larkin: NHL Rookie of the Month
There’s a few less talked about names that could be available on the trade market, but for the most part, what you see above are the most target-able options. The defensive market is thin right now, but if Peter Chiarelli feels he needs to make a move, there’s definitely a potential deal out there. Let us know what you think hockey fans, tell us what it’ll take to get a trade completed.