The Edmonton Oilers are no strangers to the current NHL trade rumors and the biggest hockey question in Oil Country right now is whether or not the Oilers are in a state of play to move blueliner Seth Jones over from the Chicago Blackhawks before the trade deadline.
Let's be real in analyzing the Edmonton Oilers as an offensive-minded team with the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way every night on the ice. However, the oft-used phrase "offense wins games, defense wins championships" should be echoed constantly throughout the OIlers' front offices since they fell just short of another Stanley Cup last June.
In the case of Seth Jones, Edmonton would receive a solid, right-shooting defenseman who can also score as Jones has six goals and 20 assists in only 39 games this season with a terrible Blackhawks squad. The key to any Jones trade deal is the fact that he also carries a $9.5 million dollar salary cap and a potential trade with any NHL team means the Blackhawks would have to absorb a portion of Jones' salary in order for any deal to be truly viable.
In addition, the Blackhawks, ever in a rebuilding mode, could eye the fact that Edmonton has first round draft picks in both 2026 and 2027 and those draft choices could easily be used to sweeten the pot for a Seth Jones trade deal. Jones himself indicated that he's willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to sign with a team looking at the playoffs in the near horizon and that contract willingness sends a message throughout the NHL that he's ready, willing and available to move on from his playing days in Chicago.
Would the OIlers even think of trying to deal for MacKenzie Weegar?
Just the thought of the Calgary Flames entering in a trade deal with the Edmonton Oilers, let alone for top blueliner MacKenzie Weegar, should send shockwaves through hockey circles in the great province of Alberta.
After all, the Oilers and the Flames are bitter, inter-provincial rivals and why would either team work with each other as the fight it out in the Pacific Division? The answer isn't as clear as to why either organization would actually agree to cooperate but MacKenzie Weegar could be the defensive answer to all of Edmonton's woes behind the blue line.
Weegar is a two-way defenseman and currently is one of the top Calgary scorers with six goals and 25 assists in 55 total games this season. Of course, any entertainment for Weegar would cost the Oilers dearly as any trade deal for Weegar comes with a $6 million dollar price tag.
In addition, the Flames will no doubt demand at least one first-round draft pick for Weegar along with other top prospects even to make a deal remotely feasible. Fans in Edmonton should not hold their breath on this trade prospect but then again, stranger things happen in sports and if the Oilers offer up enough incentives, Weegar could be in the trade mix over the next two weeks.