Edmonton Oilers linked to blockbuster trade with Los Angeles Kings for star forward
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez - Imagn Images
With Adrian Kempe's contract-status becoming more volatile with the Los Angeles Kings, reports continue to surface that link the elite forward to the Oilers.
David Pagnotta of NHL Network suggested Kempe would be a great addition to Edmonton's lineup.
«The Kings and Ken Holland have to accept the fact that his contract's likely gonna be in the 11s; there are teams like Edmonton... lurking in the weeds just curious as to where this is gonna go."
Kempe is in the final season of a four-year contract with LA, at a $5,5M cap hit. There has been talk that Adrian could be asking for $12M on an extension, but the two sides continue to be at odds.
Kris Knoblauch has always emphasized Edmonton's transition game, utilizing his team's skill and speed to play with pace. Adding Kempe to the Oilers with its puck-moving defensemen would strengthen their offensive game considerably and address its trouble scoring more than 3 goals-per-game on average.
To facilitate a trade for Kempe, however, Stan Bowman would require dealing away Darnell Nurse and his massive $9.25M AAV.
Also, Adam Henrique's lack of offensive production and inconsistency could prompt the GM to include him in a package to LA.
Of course, there as several ways Bowman could go about facilitating a trade for Kempe, including salary retention to bring his cap hit down, and adding Beau Akey, prospect Max Berezkin, their 2027 first-round pick, and their 2026 second-round pick.
It could be costly, but Kempe would bring a blend of speed and finish that improves Oilers' offense immediately, while having a permanent winger for the remainder of McDavid's current contract and beyond.
Superstar's name continues to surface around the Oilers
Kempe is in the final season of a four-year contract with LA, at a $5,5M cap hit. There has been talk that Adrian could be asking for $12M on an extension, but the two sides continue to be at odds.
Kris Knoblauch has always emphasized Edmonton's transition game, utilizing his team's skill and speed to play with pace. Adding Kempe to the Oilers with its puck-moving defensemen would strengthen their offensive game considerably and address its trouble scoring more than 3 goals-per-game on average.
To facilitate a trade for Kempe, however, Stan Bowman would require dealing away Darnell Nurse and his massive $9.25M AAV.
Also, Adam Henrique's lack of offensive production and inconsistency could prompt the GM to include him in a package to LA.
Of course, there as several ways Bowman could go about facilitating a trade for Kempe, including salary retention to bring his cap hit down, and adding Beau Akey, prospect Max Berezkin, their 2027 first-round pick, and their 2026 second-round pick.
It could be costly, but Kempe would bring a blend of speed and finish that improves Oilers' offense immediately, while having a permanent winger for the remainder of McDavid's current contract and beyond.
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