Two Oilers veterans are odd men out of starting lineup, likely to be traded

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has hinted that a move may soon be coming to clear up salary cap space, which likely will send out one of these two veteran players - but both are now fighting for a roster spot.

Looking at the projected forward lineup right now, Janmark will be slated no higher than the 4th line with a $1.35M cap hit. The Oilers have cheaper replacements now waiting in the wings with Noah Philp and Curtis Lazar, eliminating the need for Janmark.

Janmark is one of the few players in the Oilers lineup who doesn't really have a full no-move clause, but instead a 21 team no-trade list. The Oilers can surely find a way to deal Janmark to one of the 10 teams he selects, and save some space on the cap.

On the blue line, the Oilers are finding themselves with a major surplus of left shot defenceman. With Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Brett Kulak, and Atro Leppanen on the roster - something needs to shake loose.

If Leppanen can prove himself in training camp, the most obvious option becomes trading Brett Kulak. Leppanen could take on the new third pairing role, and the Oilers would clear Kulak's $2.75M for an addition elsewhere. He's been a great player for Edmonton, but now looks like a luxury on their roster.

Through the season too, one of the Oilers needs will likely be looking for a right shot defender.

However the Oilers choose to move forward, it's tough to see these quality veterans depart the team after such great playoff runs. But Edmonton needs to be ruthless in their pursuit of the Cup, and that starts with the front office.