Oilers players send message to GM not to trade a specific player

For the Edmonton Oilers to make an impactful trade this year, the team will need to clear salary cap space, which means trading a significant roster player. Reports so far have indicated that Cody Ceci is most likely to be moved and replaced by an upgrade in trade or Philip Broberg. However, that plan could be in jeopardy now that Oilers players have reportedly told GM Ken Holland not to trade Ceci.

According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, he believes some influential Oilers players would prefer that Ceci stays on the team. This obviously means that he's close with the leadership group of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, both of whom Ken Holland has been consulting for the deadline. If the Oilers stars believe Ceci is a huge part of the locker room, they may not trade him.

However, this would also make their deadline plans significantly harder, as Ceci is the most logical fit to be moved out. If the Oilers instead are forced to move out Warren Foegele or Brett Kulak, the team could be in a worse off position for the playoffs.


While the locker room chemistry should be considered when making moves to push a team towards a Stanley cup, the Oilers also can't allow personal relationships to get in the way of the trades they have to make to improve.