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Oilers fast approaching critical decisions with multiple veteran players
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Oilers are only 7 games away from the trade deadline before the most important playoff run in the McDavid era, and will be facing multiple critical decisions to potentially cut a veteran player.
Earlier this season, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer suggested that Evander Kane's return from injury around the trade deadline could force out a left winger on the roster.
One wild card is when Evander Kane returns. Does he push a guy on the left side out of the mix? Jeff Skinner's signed to a one year deal for three million bucks, Janmark three years. We'll see whether or not Skinner starts to evolve a bit more here in Edmonton.
-Bob Stauffer
-Bob Stauffer
The Oilers now have another wrinkle in their plan with the addition of John Klingberg, giving them another critical decision in the next 7 games - can Klingberg play top 4 minutes in the playoffs, or do they need another defenceman?
Edmonton Oilers will face critical decisions with Evander Kane's return
Evander Kane's return from injury will be the biggest factor for the Oilers trade deadline, for the significance of his $5.125 contract.
If he's out until the playoffs, the Oilers will be able comfortably make trades. If not, any trade they make will need to also need to shed salary. The Oilers are expected to get a concrete answer on Kane's injury within one week.
When Kane is healthy and in the lineup, he can be a scoring option and physical presence, but it's also possible that it's Evander Kane that gets traded.
His no-move clause retracts on March 1st, a few days before the deadline, and the Oilers could look to deal an again forward coming off injury.
If Kane comes back before playoffs and they don't trade him, the Oilers will have to look at other options to clear salary. Forward Viktor Arvidsson may be the most likely candidate, as Jeff Skinner said he will not waive his no-move clause. As Stauffer mentioned, Mattias Janmark could be an option too.
John Klingberg evaluations coming to a close before trade deadline
The Oilers signed John Klingberg with enough time for him to get consistent time in the lineup and an evaluation before the trade deadline.
If the Oilers think he can be a top four defenceman, they may not make another trade to solidify the blue line. If in the next 7 games they decide they need more help, it's possible Klingberg becomes the 7th defenceman. Like Kane, he's an aging player coming back from major injury.
In 5 games with the Oilers this season, Klingberg has been just fine - not really standing out, which is a good thing, but also not inspiring confidence in a key role on a playoff run.
The Oilers will have some majorly tough decisions to make in the coming days approaching the trade deadline, and it's very possible that one of these veteran players could be moved out of the lineup.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 21 | 331 ANSWERS Oilers fast approaching critical decisions with multiple veteran players Do you think the Oilers will move out one veteran player at the trade deadline for salary? | ||
| Yes, they'll have to | 282 | 85.2 % |
| No, they'll find a way not to | 49 | 14.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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