Oilers top trade target reportedly refused trade to Edmonton

According to new reports, the Edmonton Oilers made a serious offer for Tanev to the Calgary Flames, but Tanev nixed the deal and chose the Dallas Stars instead.

Dallas acquired Tanev at the trade deadline in a three team trade including the New Jersey Devils, where the Stars only gave up a prospect and a second, third, and fourth round draft pick. It was reported at the trade deadline that the Oilers had offered a first round draft pick at least, but that the Flames refused to trade Tanev to Edmonton. Now, it's clear that it was Tanev himself who declined the trade.

It could be a leftover hatred from the Battle of Alberta rivalry that Tanev declined the trade to Edmonton, or the fact that he really believed that the Star would have a better chance at the Stanley Cup than the Oilers do. Now facing off in the third round of the playoffs, the Oilers and Stars will literally put Tanev's belief to the test.

The Oilers could've definitely used an elite top four stay at home defenceman like Tanev at the deadline to improve on a player like Cody Ceci, but clearly the Oilers aren't feeling left out. Even with a somewhat underwhelming deadline add of Henrique and Carrick, the Oilers still have the star power and adequate defence to beat out the Stars. Tomorrow night at 6:30 MT, the two teams will put it to the test and battle it out in Edmonton. Hopefully, the Oilers can take a series lead to Dallas and eventually punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals.