Oilers linked to trading for rights of former draft pick about to hit free agency
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The Edmonton Oilers have been linked to making an extremely curious trade, acquiring their former draft pick Matej Blumel from the Dallas Stars.
One of the offseason priorities for Edmonton is to reshape the forward group to be younger, with an eye for under the radar value-adds. Their former prospect in Blumel is a great candidate.
Oilers analyst connects Edmonton to making curious trade for former prospect
According to a recent report from Allan Mitchell of the Athletic, the Oilers could be interested in trading for the rights of Blumel from the Dallas Stars before the 25 year old becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Blumel is an even more successful AHL scorer (70 goals in the last two seasons) who brings terrific speed and skill to the game.
He's a Group 6 free agent, meaning he'll be available to any NHL team on July 1. The Oilers might be wise to trade for him in June, sign him and increase the number of speedy wingers with plus shots in the pool of young talent available this fall.
- Allan Mitchell
He's a Group 6 free agent, meaning he'll be available to any NHL team on July 1. The Oilers might be wise to trade for him in June, sign him and increase the number of speedy wingers with plus shots in the pool of young talent available this fall.
- Allan Mitchell
The Edmonton Oilers selected Blumel in the 4th round of the 2019 NHL draft, after he played 2 seasons with the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks. Blumel went back home to play in the Czech Extraliga after being drafted, and the Edmonton Oilers simply didn't sign him when his rights expired in 2022.
Blumel then signed with the Dallas Stars in 2022, and immediately came over to resume his career in North America. He's yet to crack the NHL roster full time, playing 13 games since 2022-23 - but Blumel has impressed greatly in the AHL, and looks ready to make the jump.
With 70 goals and 134 points in his last 139 AHL games, Blumel is looking for an NHL opportunity. He's shown an elite shot, puck skills, and could be a valuable contributor on a value deal.
If the Oilers made a trade for his rights, it would simply be for future considerations or at most a late round draft pick. If Blumel hits free agency, as seems likely, the Oilers should be one of the teams interested in adding him.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 23 | 704 ANSWERS Oilers linked to trading for rights of former draft pick about to hit free agency Do you think the Oilers should try to re-acquire Blumel in trade? | ||
| Yes | 141 | 20 % |
| No, wait to sign him | 271 | 38.5 % |
| No, don't need him | 292 | 41.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
