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Another Source Names Montreal Canadiens Defenceman as Oilers Top Trade Target
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers have now been connected to Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson from multiple insiders.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has repeatedly hinted at an off the radar target, a left shot puck moving defenceman, and named Mike Matheson as the player.
In a recent piece for the Athletic, Oilers analyst Alan Mitchell is seconding the opinion that Matheson could be the best fit for the team to add in trade.
»A guess would have Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadiens as both qualified for the role required and priced at an acceptable level for Bowman.»
- Alan Mitchell, the Athletic
- Alan Mitchell, the Athletic
The Oilers defence core has been performing above expectation all season, so Mitchell also qualified that Edmonton could get a defenceman more suited to a 5/6 role, that can jump into the top four.
»That may indicate that someone like Matheson will be the deadline target as a third-pairing option who can slide up in a pinch.
-Alan Mitchell
-Alan Mitchell
With multiple of the Oilers top insiders and analysts now connecting Matheson to Edmonton, there could be some smoke around a deal.
Should the Oilers Trade for Canadiens Defenceman Mike Matheson This Year?
For an offensive team like the Oilers, targeting a puck moving player like Matheson would be a much better fit than a purely physical player like his teammate David Savard.
Matheson is relied on to play over 25 minutes in ice time regularly, so adding a workhorse player like him could also be beneficial.
The 30 year old veteran has played 579 NHL games and has had success with his play style, but does have some defensive decencies. Matheson had a career high of 62 points last year, but also a brutal on ice rating of -24.
The crunch with Matheson will be his contract: $4.875M for the next two seasons. The Canadiens reportedly will retain salary, but the Oilers would have to pay a premium for them to do so, and still it would be a tight fit.
The Oilers may not be able to add any other player after Matheson once they take on the extra salary - if they don't ship any out. There could be some appetite to add a physical bottom six forward and insurance in net as well.
Earlier today, we here at OilersDaily revisited some of Stan Bowman's comments earlier this season in which he said the Oilers trade deadline plans will be formed around the Holiday Break.
With these reports surfacing at this time, it seems Matheson could be the top target. Only time will tell if the Oilers end up with him, or choose another route.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 140 ANSWERS Another Source Names Montreal Canadiens Defenceman as Oilers Top Trade Target Do you think the Oilers should trade for Mike Matheson? | ||
| Yes, great fit | 71 | 50.7 % |
| No, there's better options | 69 | 49.3 % |
| List of polls | ||