Oilers will have to trade top rookie forward to acquire Leafs defender in trade, says insider
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It seems that Leafs and Oilers are engages in trade-talks, which analyst David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says could include Edmonton's prospect Ike Howard.
Oilers look to improve defense
"The Leafs aren't trading him for Mangiapane and a pick," Pagnotta said in his podcast. "Sorry, that's not gonna happen. You're probably looking at - everyone's gonna lose it - probably like an Isaac Howard in the deal...It's gonna be a high price.
It's a combo of his cap hit, a combo of the term that's there and the fact that he's really good.
It's a combo of his cap hit, a combo of the term that's there and the fact that he's really good.
It's becoming more and more likely that Stan Bowman will need to offer-up one of the team's prospects in order to secure top-level help at the deadline.
Whether it's one or a combination of a top-six, 3C, or top-4 defender the Oilers' settle on, it's going to cost them.
In Ekman-Larsson's case, adding an offensive-defenseman with a left-shot but can play on the right-side could be a fit.
OEL has covered the right-side in large stretches in Toronto, ever since D-man Chris Tanev went down with injury early in the season.
Ekman-Larsson is in year two of a four-year deal at a cap hit of $3.5M, which is quite reasonable when you consider his defensive and offensive skills. He's recorded 36 points over 57 games with a TOI of 20:03.
With Darnell Nurse not playing at his usual level and the general poor defense the Oilers have suffered for long stretches this season, adding someone of OEL's caliber is a prudent move, one the team cannot ignore to make.
With the playoffs quickly approaching, Edmonton will need to shore-up it's defensive-depth. Any way you look at it, it's going to cost them an asset they'd rather not give up.
It's the cost of winning a Stanley Cup and the Oilers' window is growing shorter with each passing year.
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