Edmonton Oilers F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Trade Rumors

Edmonton Oilers F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Suspected to be Available on the Trade Market

Edmonton Oilers F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is reportedly available on the trade market, per reports from TSN‘s Frank Seravalli on “That’s Hockey 2Nite“.

This should come as little surprise, as we’ve been sounding that horn ever since Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl proved themselves the 1-2 center’s of the future.

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More of a numbers game than anything, there’s simply not enough room for three top six forwards up the middle in Edmonton – and it would be unfair to force any one of those three to play the wing.

GM Peter Chiarelli will be looking to improve his team right now. He could land a top-notch winger or defender at June’s draft, but they likely won’t make their NHL debut for another year or two.

Logic would dictate that Edmonton looks to fill their biggest hole, which remains on the blueline.

They have a pair of promising pieces in Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse, but they could use another top four d-man who can chew up big minutes and plays responsible in his own end.

Targets would also likely need to be in the same age range as Edmonton Oilers F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (23-years-old), give or take a few years depending on the return value.

Edmonton Oilers F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 5 Potential Trade Targets

Note: The following are not proposed trades. They are simply potential targets that make for starter talk. Either one, or both teams may need to add depending on the scenario in order for a deal to work.

Justin Faulk (Carolina Hurricanes)

As Peter Chiarelli, you’re almost obligated to pick up the phone and call Ron Francis to at least inquire. Chances are, Carolina won’t have interest in breaking apart a blueline that came together in 2015-16.

The Canes do need to consider they still have James Wisniewski under contract, who was injured 47 seconds into his Carolina debut in 2015-16.

David Savard (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Oilers fans would laugh at this, while at the same time Blue Jackets fans would tell you he’s virtually untouchable. A bit of an unknown to the rest of the NHL, Savard would be a big boost to Edmonton’s blueline.

You just have to convince Jarmo Kekalainen that RNH is the answer to his problem at the center position.

Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild)

There’s always a chance Matt Dumba’s name could be floated around in conversation, but for Edmonton’s sake, Brodin might be the better option regardless. Better known for his defensive abilities, Brodin can play big minutes and fill a major need on the Oilers back end.

P.K. Subban (Montreal Canadiens)