Oilers reportedly will be "extremely aggressive" after Olympic break with trades

It's pretty much a given that the Oilers will qualify for the post-season this year, with a strong possibility of home ice too.

The team sits only one-point behind Vegas for first in the Pacific, with 28-games remaining. But it's been their consistently strong play since December 1st that rates them as one of the Western Conference's best teams and a buyer at the trade dead-line.

Yet, Edmonton doesn't have a ton of capital to work with. GM Stan Bowman will have to make some tough decisions about which of the prospects to include in a possible deal.

Of course, it would be great if he can find a taker for Andrew Mangiapane and his $3.6M cap hit, but it's unlikely. The GM is therefore left with no choice but to use one or more of the Condors' stars as bargaining chips.

One of Ike Howard, Quinn Hutson and Josh Samanski are good candidates, given how well they've performed in the AHL; they will certainly get attention from teams.

Edmonton's biggest need right now is a middle-6 forward that can also play on the top-line if needed and provide secondary scoring, preferably a center. Several names have been linked to the Oilers recently, but the best fit in my opinion is Ryan O'Reilly from Nashville.

He can play with McDavid on the wing, or slot into the 3C, as the gameplan warrants; but he will also cost the Oilers a 1st-round draft pick and one of Howard and Hutson.

Whatever Stan Bowman decides, he will need to be aggressive with his tactics, as there will be more buyers this year because of the parity in the standings.

And less time with which to make deal, two weeks in fact, once the Olympic break is over on February 24th.

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