Trade deadline complications continue to mount for Oilers' GM
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Perhaps more so than any year in recent history, Edmonton is faced with several complications before, or at the March 6 trade-deadline.
In a recent Oilersnation article, the analyst spoke about some of these difficulties.
That is not exactly a lot of draft capital, and it's not like their system is flush with valuable prospects that they could dangle in a deal.
Honestly, not having the assets to make a significant deal this season might not even be that much of a problem, considering the Oilers don't really have much cap space either.
- Tyler Yaremchuk
Honestly, not having the assets to make a significant deal this season might not even be that much of a problem, considering the Oilers don't really have much cap space either.
- Tyler Yaremchuk
It appears that Stan Bowman may have already made what significant trades he was able to, by trading away contracts that weren't trade-protected, as in Skinner and Kulak.
With the exception of Evan Bouchard now, the remaining roster players all have either a NMC, or NTC. Since Bouchard is going nowhere, that means the entire balance of the team is protected in some way, making a move for the GM difficult.
The other, and perhaps bigger complication, is Edmonton's draft capital. Over the next three years, this is what is in the kitty:
2026: 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th
2027: 1st, 2nd, 5th, 5th (BOS), 6th, 7th
2028: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (STL), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
2027: 1st, 2nd, 5th, 5th (BOS), 6th, 7th
2028: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (STL), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
To get back any player of note, Oilers would need to trade away their 1st-round picks in one of 2027 or 2028, hampering their future considerably, given they didn't have one in last year's draft.
Also, once Walman and Jarry are activated from the injury reserve, Oilers will need to send down players to remain cap compliant, likely Stillman, Pickard, Lazar, and Isaac Howard, complicating matters further.
Amidst all of these decisions for the GM, Andrew Mangiapane's $3.6M continues to hinder the cap situation. The GM may want to expedite moving him before any players are activated.
Finally, beginning this season, teams will need to be cap compliant for the playoffs, as per the new CBA. Any moves that are made before, or at the trade-deadline, will need to be made with that in mind.
The dead-line is only two-months away. One this is certain: activity will begin to ramp-up for all 32 teams.
Also read on Edmonton Hockey Daily :
Edmonton Oilers place Henrique on LTIR, reveal extended return timeline
Edmonton Oilers place Henrique on LTIR, reveal extended return timeline
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 7 | 310 ANSWERS Trade deadline complications continue to mount for Oilers' GM Is Stan Bowman doing a good job this year of building the Oilers' roster? | ||
| yes | 101 | 32.6 % |
| no | 209 | 67.4 % |
| List of polls | ||