Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumours: Defensive Upgrades
By Ryan Ritchie
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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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.