NHL Trade Rumors: How every team could trade for Erik Karlsson

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: {L-R} John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators warm-up prior to the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: {L-R} John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators warm-up prior to the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
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Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images

Edmonton Oilers

Why they make sense: Just imagine Connor McDavid and Erik Karlsson on the same team. That’s borderline cheating. In all seriousness, the Oilers really need a franchise defenseman. And Edmonton has the pieces to pull off a variety of trades for Karlsson, depending on what the Senators want.

Feasible trades: The Oilers have several. A Leon Draisaitl for Karlsson trade would make some sense for both sides. I still think the Oilers would have to add more, but it’s a nice start. However, the Senators should choose to go with quantity over quality, especially if the quantity has good players in it.

If the Oilers win the draft lottery (and history shows they have a good chance of doing so), the first overall pick would be a huge help to Edmonton’s chances. Throw in Oscar Klefbom and one of Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto and the Oilers could really tempt Ottawa.

Why it won’t happen: Don’t get your hopes up, Oilers fans. First of all, Peter Chiarelli is definitely not good enough to pull off a trade for Karlsson. He’s really bad at big trades (but admittedly good at tinkering). Don’t fret though. Maybe someday the team that gets Karlsson will trade for McDavid because Chiarelli loves trading first overall picks.